No Swiss Vacations Here
Bobby Deol is gearing up for one of the most intense roles of his career in Anurag Kashyap’s upcoming crime thriller Bandar. And if you thought Bollywood shoots were all about luxury vans and Swiss backdrops, think again — especially when you’re working with Kashyap.
Producer Nikhil Dwivedi, who is backing the film under his Saffron Magicworks banner, spilled some serious behind-the-scenes chai pe charcha. Speaking about the harsh realities of the Bandar set, Dwivedi didn’t mince words. “An actor’s life changes a little with success, and naturally, a certain level of luxury becomes a part of it. But a film shoot isn’t always luxurious, especially when you’re not singing songs in Switzerland, and certainly not in an Anurag Kashyap film, where luxury is practically non-existent,” he revealed.
And the proof? A grueling 20-day jail schedule where Bobby Deol didn’t just act like a prisoner — he lived like one.
Foot on Cheek, Stomach, Everywhere
Dwivedi took us inside the madness, describing how Kashyap cast nearly 115 trained theatre actors to play inmates. The set was packed. “All these actors would be packed into a single room, lying on top of one another to create the authenticity of a crowded prison. Sometimes Bobby would have someone’s foot on his cheek, sometimes on his stomach,” the producer shared.
At first, the other actors were hesitant — after all, Bobby Deol is a star. They kept their distance, trying not to step on him (literally and figuratively). But Kashyap, the master of chaos, wasn’t having it. “One day, Anurag scolded everyone and said, ‘It doesn’t look like you’re in jail at all. Why is everyone so stiff and uncomfortable?'” Dwivedi recalled.
That wake-up call worked like magic. The actors loosened up, and soon Bobby was just one of the gang. “From that point on, it never felt like ‘Bobby the star’ was walking onto the set. He was simply one of them. In fact, Bobby would rarely go back to his vanity van. He would stay on set throughout the day,” Dwivedi added.
An Unforgettable Avatar
Bandar sees Bobby Deol in a completely new light. He plays Sameer Mehra, a once-celebrated pop star whose life spirals after he is accused of sexual assault. The film follows his battle through a courtroom drama and relentless media scrutiny, fighting to prove his innocence in a broken system.
Written by Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee — the dream team behind Paatal Lok, Kohra, and Udta Punjab — and directed by Anurag Kashyap, Bandar is produced by Nikhil Dwivedi’s Saffron Magicworks and backed by Zee Studios. The film is set to release in cinemas worldwide on June 5, 2026.
If these behind-the-scenes stories are any indication, Bobby Deol is about to deliver a career-defining performance. And we can’t wait to see the result of all that foot-on-cheek dedication.