'Tanvi The Great' Review: Shubhangi Dutt Shines In Challenging Debut, Plot Loses Grip In Second Half

Veteran actor Anupam Kher’s latest directorial venture, Tanvi the Great, hit the theatres today, July 18, 2025, after receiving a 7-minute standing ovation at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. This film marks Kher’s return to the director’s chair after two decades, with a soulful story of a neurodivergent protagonist. It also marks the acting debut of Shubhangi Dutt, who plays the titular character, ‘Tanvi’, a 21-year-old autistic woman who dreams of saluting the national flag at Siachen Glacier one day. 

While the premise is intriguing and the film tackles an important subject, does Tanvi the Great ultimately manage to leave a lasting impact? Well, the answer is both ‘Yes’ and ‘No’!

Tanvi the Great: A daughter chasing her father’s unfulfilled dream

Tanvi The Great follows ‘Tanvi’ (Shubhangi Dutt), a 21-year-old autistic girl raised by her mother, ‘Vidya’ (Pallavi Joshi), and grandfather, ‘Colonel Raina’ (Anupam Kher). After her father, ‘Capt. Samar Raina’ (Karan Tacker), loses his life to a mine blast, ‘Tanvi’ discovers his one unfulfilled dream: to salute the national flag of Siachen. And thus begins her quest to make the dream come true as she gradually navigates the lands to reach her destination. Along the way, ‘Tanvi’ receives support from ‘Brigadier Joshi’ (Jackie Shroff) and others, facing internal and external hurdles due to her neurodivergent condition.

Directed by Anupam Kher, the film is rooted in emotional realism, with the first half naturally unfolding against the scenic backdrop of Lansdowne, highlighting familial love and human resilience. However, as we reach the second half, it takes a dramatic turn when 'Tanvi', training to join the Indian Army, suddenly shifts her character to swerve into a fantasy territory. 

What worked and what didn’t

Debutante Shubhangi Dutt was surprisingly good in portraying a challenging role like ‘Tanvi’ on her very first project, and her performance has shone through. The actress has convincingly portrayed the protagonist’s inner turmoil and determination as a spirited young woman who wants to be seen. She delivers a balanced performance and is undoubtedly the heart of the film. Anupam Kher as ‘Colonel Raina’ has received significant praise for delivering a heartfelt and grounded performance. 

Pallavi Joshi did justice to her role as a single mother who balances her deep emotional side with scientific knowledge of autism. The rest of the cast, including Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani and Karan Tacker, provided solid support. However, the second half has left viewers and critics divided. While the first half flows with natural ease, the second half abruptly transitions to a logic-defying mission. The storytelling is the main area where the story stumbles. The portrayal of autism, while well-intentioned, lacks nuance, and overall, the second half feels unrealistic.

What are viewers saying about Tanvi the Great?

The reviews have been a mixed bag on social media as well, but compared to critics, they have been more forgiving. Early viewers have flooded X (formerly Twitter) with mostly positive reviews, calling it a soul-touching and inspirational feat. A user rated the film 3.5 stars and wrote, “A moving, uplifting, and soul-stirring cinematic experience… A story narrated with heart, honesty, and conviction... #AnupamKher springs a surprise as director!” Another user rated Tanvi the Great a solid 4.5 stars and wrote:

“Attended World Premiere Of #TanviTheGreat At Olympia 2 Cannes Film Festival Movie Review. Tanvi The Great One Of My Critic has been the best experience..and all the actors have done an amazing job..the story touches the soul directly..salute Anupam Kher..4.5 Stars.”

Final verdict

Tanvi the Great deserves credit for placing a neurodivergent character at the centre of its story, inspiring the masses. Shubhangi Dutt and Anupam Kher are the heart and soul of the film, whose performances alone make it a worthwhile one-time watch. Despite the drawbacks, the film leaves behind a strong message: dreams are for everyone, but how we choose to tell those stories is what makes all the difference.

Have you watched Tanvi the Great?

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