Tanvi the Great (2025) Movie: Shubhangi Dutt’s Debut Deserves Your Attention
After two decades, Anupam Kher returns to direction with Tanvi the Great, a drama close to his heart. The film introduces Shubhangi Dutt alongside veterans like Pallavi Joshi, Boman Irani, and Jackie Shroff. This story explores autism through a military family’s perspective.
The movie hit theaters on July 18, 2025, offering something different from typical Bollywood fare. Anupam Kher Studio and NFDC backed this project, showing autism as empowerment rather than limitation. The film combines family emotions with patriotic themes.
The Story Behind the Mission
Twenty-one-year-old Tanvi lives with her mother Vidya in Delhi. Her father, an army captain, died years ago while traveling to Siachen. When her mother leaves for America on work, Tanvi moves to Lansdowne with her grandfather, a retired colonel.
Living with Colonel Raina changes everything for Tanvi. She learns about her father’s dream to salute the flag at Siachen Glacier. This discovery sparks something inside her. She decides to finish what her father couldn’t, despite knowing the challenges ahead.
The journey from Delhi to Siachen becomes her personal mission. Military rules don’t easily accommodate people with autism. But Tanvi’s determination grows stronger with every obstacle she faces.
Acting That Speaks Volumes
Shubhangi Dutt surprised me with her natural performance as Tanvi. She doesn’t overact or make autism look dramatic. Instead, she shows real strength and vulnerability. Her screen presence feels authentic throughout the film.
Anupam Kher brings depth to Colonel Raina’s character. His experience shows in every scene. I could see the grandfather’s love and military discipline balanced perfectly. He guides the story with steady hands both as actor and director.
Pallavi Joshi fits well as the expert mother who understands autism professionally. Boman Irani and Jackie Shroff add weight to supporting roles. The cast works together smoothly, creating believable relationships on screen.
What Makes It Special
The film’s research on autism shows in every detail. Characters don’t treat Tanvi’s condition as weakness or burden. Instead, the story celebrates her unique abilities and perspective. This approach feels refreshing compared to other films.
Family bonds drive the emotional core effectively. The grandfather-granddaughter relationship develops naturally throughout their time together. Military traditions and values blend well with personal growth themes.
Visual storytelling captures both peaceful hill stations and harsh mountain terrain beautifully. The contrast between these locations mirrors Tanvi’s internal journey from comfort to challenge.
Where It Stumbles
The second half loses some momentum I felt during the opening scenes. Screenplay issues become obvious when emotional scenes drag longer than needed. Some conversations feel scripted rather than natural.
Patriotic elements sometimes overshadow personal storytelling. The balance tips toward message delivery instead of character development. I wished for more subtle handling of nationalistic themes throughout the narrative.
Pacing problems make certain sequences feel stretched unnecessarily. Tighter editing could have maintained emotional impact better. Some dramatic moments try too hard to create tears.
Critics and Numbers
Filmfare awarded 3 stars while Bollywood Hungama gave 2 out of 5. Most critics praised intentions but questioned execution quality. Shubhangi’s debut received positive mentions across reviews.
Several reviewers appreciated autism representation but noted screenplay weaknesses. The film received mixed response despite good performances from the cast.
People’s Reaction
Families enjoyed watching this together according to audience feedback. Parents appreciated the sensitive treatment of special needs topics. The inspirational message resonated with viewers looking for meaningful cinema.
Social media buzz stayed positive around the film’s core message. Many viewers shared personal stories after watching Tanvi’s journey. The movie sparked conversations about inclusion and understanding differences.
Rating: 3/5