NEW DELHI: Veteran actor Anupam Kher returns to direction after 23 years with Tanvi The Great, a moving story about a young neurodivergent girl’s dream of joining the Indian Army. The trailer of the film was launched on June 30 by Excel Entertainment, offering audiences a glimpse into a world of courage, resilience, and self-belief.
A Story Rooted in Emotion and Determination
The film follows Tanvi Raina, played by newcomer Shubhangi Dutt, a girl on the autism spectrum who is determined to fulfil her late father’s dream of saluting the national flag at Siachen Glacier. Tanvi’s father, Captain Samar Pratap Raina, was martyred in the line of duty. Despite societal norms and institutional barriers that prevent individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from being enlisted in the armed forces, Tanvi shows up at the Lansdowne Cantonment to try out for the Army.
What unfolds is her journey through rejection, ridicule, and resistance — both from the system and within her own family.
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A Grandfather’s Struggle and a Girl’s Resolve
Anupam Kher plays Colonel Khanna, Tanvi’s grandfather, a man unable to accept her differently-abled reality. His inner conflict and transformation form a critical emotional arc in the story. The trailer captures their strained relationship and the moments where Tanvi challenges his cynicism with her unshakable resolve.
“In a world that saw her through a different lens, she kept shining with a light that could not be unseen,” read a post by Excel Entertainment, which co-produces the film alongside Anupam Kher Studios and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
From Cannes to Indian Theatres
Tanvi The Great made its first international appearance at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival’s film market on May 17. The film was also screened at the New York Indian Film Festival, where it was met with a standing ovation. The premiere was attended by Hollywood legend Robert De Niro.
Speaking about the film, Anupam Kher said, “Everyone who watches Tanvi The Great will walk away a little kinder — perhaps even changed. This film is my tribute to every person who is different but no less.”
A Stellar Cast and Soulful Music
Apart from Shubhangi Dutt and Kher, the film boasts an ensemble cast that includes Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani, Iain Glen, Karan Tacker, Arvind Swamy, Pallavi Joshi, and Nasser. The film’s music has been composed by Oscar-winner M.M. Keeravani, with lyrics penned by renowned lyricist Kausar Munir.
The screenplay is co-written by Anupam Kher, Ankur Suman, and Abhishek Dixit. The story is inspired by Kher’s own niece, who is on the autism spectrum.
Tanvi The Great is scheduled to release in theatres across India on July 18, 2025.
