Tanvi the Great (2025) Movie ft. Pallavi, Iain, and Shubhangi
Tanvi The Great marks veteran actor Anupam Kher’s return to direction after nearly two decades, bringing a deeply personal story about autism and dreams. The film features debutant Shubhangi Dutt in the lead role, alongside Jackie Shroff, Karan Tacker, Pallavi Joshi, and Boman Irani.
The drama tells the story of 21-year-old Tanvi Raina, who learns of her deceased Indian Army father’s dream to salute the flag at Siachen Glacier. Despite facing barriers, she decides to complete this seemingly impossible mission, turning autism from a limitation into her greatest strength.
Plot and Storyline
The central story follows Tanvi’s extraordinary journey to honor her father’s military legacy. She discovers his unfulfilled dream and undertakes what seems impossible for someone with autism. The narrative explores how her different way of processing the world becomes her greatest asset.
The film tries to balance being both a family drama and adventure story. While the emotional core remains strong, I found the pacing occasionally struggles to maintain momentum, sometimes feeling stretched across multiple themes.
Cast Performances
Shubhangi Dutt delivers what I consider the film’s strongest performance. Her portrayal of Tanvi requires delicate balance between authenticity and sensitivity. She captures the essence without falling into stereotypical representations of autism, making Tanvi feel real rather than performative.
Anupam Kher provides measured support both as director and actor. His experience shows in guiding emotional beats while maintaining restraint. Jackie Shroff and Pallavi Joshi add depth to their family member roles.
However, I felt actors like Boman Irani and Karan Tacker don’t get enough material to showcase their talents. Their underutilization feels like a missed opportunity.
Direction and Technical Aspects
Anupam Kher’s direction shows both wisdom of experience and signs of his long directorial hiatus. He handles intimate character moments well, with cinematography that captures both domestic warmth and stark military landscapes.
The production values reflect a modest but sincere effort. The film focuses on authentic environments rather than elaborate sets. I noticed the background score occasionally feels heavy-handed, though it works better in quieter moments.
Critical Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics. Filmfare gave 3/5 stars, calling it a heartwarming tale. Bollywood Hungama rated 2/5, noting it as heartfelt but poorly executed. India Today also gave 2/5, saying it drifts from its promising premise.
IMDb shows 9.0 rating, though based on limited early reviews. Audience response has been more generous than critics, appreciating the film’s sincere approach to autism.
What Works and What Doesn’t
Strengths:
- Shubhangi Dutt’s authentic debut performance
- Sensitive portrayal of autism without stereotypes
- Strong emotional core with meaningful message
- Important social commentary on inclusion
Areas for Improvement:
- Pacing issues affecting narrative flow
- Underutilized supporting cast
- Some believability stretches in plot
- Occasional emotional manipulation
- Writing that sometimes loses focus
Final Verdict
Tanvi The Great represents a well-intentioned effort tackling important themes with genuine heart. While it doesn’t achieve all ambitious goals, the film succeeds in presenting autism through capability rather than limitation.
I found Shubhangi Dutt’s breakthrough performance alone makes it worth watching. The film works best for viewers who appreciate character-driven stories and don’t mind overlooking technical issues for emotional authenticity.
Despite its flaws, the film offers something valuable: a story that sees potential where others see limitation. It asks audiences to reconsider preconceptions while delivering moments of genuine inspiration.
2.5/5
