**Anurag Kashyap Says ‘Bandar’ Is Not About ‘MeToo’ or ‘MenToo’**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | Oct 04, 2025, 05:04 PM*
Anurag Kashyap’s latest film, *Bandar* (Monkey in a Cage), was recently showcased at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film is an unsettling exploration of the ripple effects of the #MeToo movement in digital-age India.
Kashyap opened up about the inspiration behind this provocative film and its lead character, played by Bobby Deol.
### The Inspiration Behind Bandar
Kashyap explained that *Bandar* emerged as a reaction to the rapid changes brought about by social media. He told the Indian Express, “*Bandar* came out of a reaction to what’s happening on social media. Within minutes, people go viral. Similarly, within minutes, they are canceled.”
He emphasized that he was not trying to make a film about #MenToo or #MeToo. “Sometimes people don’t realize what they are doing. Everyone deserves a chance to correct themselves,” Kashyap added.
### A Social Commentary on India’s Judicial System
The movie centers around Samar (played by Bobby Deol), an aging television star who is accused of sexual assault by his former girlfriend, Gayatri (played by Sapna Pabbi).
Kashyap said, “I wanted the film to highlight how broken our system is. Only 27 percent of rape cases are reported. In small towns and villages, such cases often go unreported.”
He also expressed concern that the current laws were a “knee-jerk reaction” to the 2012 Delhi gang rape case and alleged that these laws are being misused to target “moneyed people.”
### Director’s Insight on Casting Bobby Deol
When asked why he chose Bobby Deol for the lead role, Kashyap described *Bandar* as “a coming-of-age story of a man-child” who doesn’t realize his mistakes until almost the end.
He said, “Bobby understands what it is to be a loser,” making him the perfect fit for the character of Samar.
### Release Details
As of now, there is no official release date for *Bandar* in India. Fans await further updates on when the film will be available for viewing.
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*Bandar* promises to be a compelling look at the complexities of justice and accountability in contemporary India—through the lens of media, social perceptions, and the flawed legal system.
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