Anupam Kher’s Emotional Directorial Return Unfolds with Grace and Sincerity
New Delhi , 17 July 2025
The story is about a 21-year-old woman named Tanvi Raina who has autism, learns about her deceased father’s desire to salute the Indian flag at the Siachen. Moved by his father’s unfulfilled wish she determined to fulfil his wish and wants to join the Indian Army.
Review: Anupam Kher Returns to Direction with Subtle Brilliance
Anupam Kher is someone we’ve seen do it all — powerful roles, emotional characters, and even a few comic surprises. And now, with Tanvi: The Great, he steps back into the director’s chair after more than two decades and it isn’t just a loud film. It doesn’t rely on big drama or any flashy moments. Instead, Kher tells a soft, moving story about a young autistic girl and the dream she carries for her late father, and it’s that quiet honesty that makes the film so special.
Story: A Daughter’s Promise and a Father’s Dream
The story revolves around Tanvi (Shubhangi Dutt), a young autistic girl with a gentle spirit and an extraordinary voice who lives with her mother, Vidya Raina (Pallavi Joshi), an autism expert and single mother, has to go to New York. Having no choice, she takes her daughter to Lansdowne to stay with her grandfather, Colonel Raina, (Anupam Kher) who is unfamiliar about Autism and finds it hard to connect with her.
Tanvi and her grandfather slowly form a bond through spending time together through small gestures. When Tanvi learns out about her father, army officer Samar Pratap Raina (Karen Tacker), who lost his life in the line of duty, everything changes. Inspired; she chooses to join in the military. Major Kailash Srinivasan (Arvind Swamy), her music instructor Raaz Saab (Boman Irani), and Brigadier Joshi (Jackie Shroff) all play a small but important part in supporting her on this journey, helping her get closer to her ambition.
A Star is Born: Shubhangi Dutt Shines as Tanvi
Newcomer Shubhangi Dutt, who portrays Tanvi with remarkable calmness and innocence, is at the heart of the movie. The performance never feels like acting because of the genuine way she conveys every nuance of her character. It works precisely because there is no exaggeration or attempt to grab attention. In his role as her grandfather, Anupam Kher gives one of his most realistic performances in a long time. With emotional accuracy, his journey from resistance to recognition is depicted. Despite his short appearance, Jackie Shroff brings empathy to his portrayal. Arvind Swamy shines as the former Army guy running a training centre, giving the narrative authenticity and serenity, while Boman Irani’s subtle performance as Tanvi’s music instructor adds warmth.
A Thoughtfully Written Film with a Gentle Pace
Tanvi: The Great, first half has a clear and well-paced screenplay. Suman Ankur, Abhishek Dixit, and Anupam Kher, the writing team, should be praised for their thoughtful character introductions. There is never a sense of rush and each emotional moment is allowed ample time to develop. The way the movie shows autism is one of its best features; it doesn’t come across as forced or over the top. Rather, the movie lets viewers watch in silence, comprehend, and relate. The movie keeps your interest even though the second half should have been a little shorter and the rhythm slows down a little toward the conclusion.
More Than a Story: A Subtle Celebration of Empathy and Courage
Tanvi: The Great isn’t simply a story about autism or the army; it’s also about people, connection, and the quiet power of being understood.
Ultimately, Tanvi: The Great is about people, connection, and the silent power of understanding others, not just about autism or the army. It serves as a reminder that love can foster the growth of dreams and that genuine change can begin when someone decides to pay attention. The film does not rely on excessive drama. Rather, it finds strength in sincerity and quiet. There are only sincere relationships and heartfelt moments, not arguments or dramatic breakdowns. A young girl who dares to dream is at the centre of it all. Although it doesn’t overpower you, this movie subtly lingers in your mind, which is sometimes precisely what a story should do.
Also read: Film Review: Murderbaad — A Chilling Journey Between Love and Mystery
