After a wait of nearly three years, Dileep and Tamannaah Bhatia‘s ‘Bandra’ is finally set to make its digital debut. The 2023 Malayalam romantic gangster drama will premiere soon. The announcement brings an end to the long wait for an update on the film’s OTT release. Its arrival also makes it a Diwali-season option for Malayalam movie audiences.
Where to watch ‘Bandra’
ZEE5 confirmed the streaming date through its official social media account. Announcing the premiere, the platform shared the film’s promotional update with the caption, “The glamour, the action, the larger-than-life drama. It’s all coming home! #Bandra – Premieres 13th November only on Malayalam Zee 5 #BandraOnZee5 #MalayalamZee5 #ActorDileep #Tamannaah.”
‘Bandra’: Director, cast and technical team
Directed by Arun Gopy, ‘Bandra’ was written by Udaykrishnan. The film marked Tamannaah Bhatia’s debut in Malayalam cinema. She stars alongside Dileep, who plays Alexander Dominic, popularly known as Aala.The supporting cast features Dino Morea, Mamta Mohandas, Kalabhavan Shajohn, R. Sarathkumar, Lena, Easwari Rao, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Siddique and VTV Ganesh. Sam C. S. composed the original score, with Shaji Kumar handling cinematography and Vivek Harshan taking charge of editing.Arun Gopy previously made his directorial debut with Dileep’s ‘Ramaleela’ which turned out to be a blockbuster.
What is the story of ‘Bandra’?
The film uses a narrative structure that moves between two timelines. It opens with a young filmmaker attempting to understand the circumstances behind the death by suicide of Thara Janki, a celebrated Bollywood actress from the 1990s.The story then shifts to an earlier period, when Thara arrives in Kerala for a film shoot. She eventually takes refuge at the home of Aala, a wealthy businessman played by Dileep. He had become fascinated by her after watching her on the big screen.
Thara Janki’s troubled life and Aala’s involvement
Thara, portrayed by Tamannaah Bhatia, reveals that she wants to escape the influence of two people in her life. One is her adoptive mother, played by Lena. The other is a film producer portrayed by Dino Morea, who also has strong underworld connections. Thara accuses the producer of sexually assaulting her and controlling her career.As the Kerala police search for the actress, she finds comfort in Aala’s household. His family and associates, including his mother, welcome her. However, her stay does not remain undisturbed for long. The producer and her adoptive mother eventually locate Thara and take her back to Mumbai.The film changes its storytelling approach after the interval. Its narrative moves through romance, emotional drama and gangster elements, connecting Thara’s experiences with Aala’s world. ETimes awarded ‘Bandra’ 2.5 stars out of 5. The film combines a romantic storyline with action and underworld drama.