Monkey in a Cage

presented in a fictionalized way. The film follows the story of Samar Saxena (Bobby Deol), a fading artist whose life is already falling apart. Things take an even darker turn when he is falsely accused of rape, extortion, and blackmail. The central question the film asks is: Is he really guilty, or is he innocent? The film unfolds through a slow-paced, layered narrative. One of its most compelling aspects is the interrogation sequences, where Samar's private chats become the center of controversy, highlighting how people can be judged based on personal conversations and selective interpretations rather than facts. Through Bandar, Anurag Kashyap explores the world of prisoners, custodial torture, inmate culture, emotional and nervous breakdowns, survival, bias, discrimination, and unfair judgment. The film also captures how people gradually become accustomed to harsh realities they cannot escape. Bandar delivers a psychological dark comedy experience where prejudice often outweighs facts. It suggests that when a person is judged through assumptions rather than truth, he can end up becoming the "monkey" in his own circus. The ending leaves the final verdict entirely to the audience. By the time the credits roll, the film asks viewers one last question: Do you believe Samar Saxena is innocent, or guilty?