Netflix has a new global hit, and it is a Hindi-language thriller that critics are trashing. Gandhari, starring Tapsee Pannu, has become the #1 non-English title on the platform worldwide, according to Netflix’s September 7 to September 13 chart. The film has been watched for 18.7 million hours since its September 3 release, but its Rotten Tomatoes critic score sits at a dismal 25%.
Pannu’s Long Netflix Run
Pannu is a familiar face for Bollywood fans who watch Netflix. She has appeared in around 40 titles across her career, and about 12 of her major films have found a home on the platform. Her direct-to-OTT Netflix Originals include Haseen Dillruba, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, and Looop Lapeta. Now she has added Gandhari to that list, and it has landed with real force.
The film is helmed by Devashish Makhija, with Kanika Dhillo producing. The cast also includes Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, and Mita Vashisht. The plot follows Bani (played by Pannu), a mother who temporarily loses her eyesight during a violent struggle while her five-year-old daughter, Mishty, is abducted at a busy railway station in the fictional town of Joypurra.
A Massive View Count
The 18.7 million hours of viewing is the figure that has made Gandhari the top non-English title globally. The film has racked up 9.6 million views on Netflix within its first two weeks, which is a strong early performance for a Hindi-language release.
The film’s success comes at a moment when several Indian titles are trending on the same chart. The SecretWoman sits at #2, having spent three weeks in the Top 10.
What Critics Think
The critical response could not be more different from the audience response. Rotten Tomatoes has given Gandhari a score of 25%, meaning the critics who reviewed it largely disliked it. That is a striking contrast with the global audience, which has embraced the film enthusiastically.
It is a rare moment where the public and the critics are completely at odds.
The Story Behind the Film
The premise of Gandhari is simple and brutal. A mother loses her eyesight and her daughter disappears at a railway station. The film follows Bani as she navigates the aftermath of that trauma, searching for her child while fighting to overcome her disability.
The fictional setting of Joypurra adds a layer of specificity to the story. The film uses the station to ground the abduction in a recognizable, chaotic space.
The Cast’s Range
Pannu is the lead, and she has carried the weight of her roles across multiple Netflix originals. The supporting cast includes Ishwak Singh, Chhaya Kadam, Swastika Mukherjee, and Mita Vashisht.
The film’s production credits are notable. Dhillo produced the project, giving it a unified creative vision. Makhija directed, bringing his own style to the material.
The Numbers So Far
- Hours watched (global): 18.7 million
- Views (first two weeks): 9.6 million
- Critic score (Rotten Tomatoes): 25%
- Release date: September 3, 2026
The film’s success is measured in hours watched and views, not in critical consensus. That is a common pattern in streaming, where audience engagement often diverges from professional judgment.
A Tale of Two Audiences
The contrast between the 25% critic score and the #1 global position is the story here. A film that critics dislike can still be a massive hit with viewers, and Gandhari proves that. The film’s appeal is broad enough to cross language barriers and find an audience beyond India.
The trend of Indian titles performing well on Netflix continues with Gandhari joining The SecretWoman in the top ranks. Both films have found their audience, even as they have received very different responses from critics.
The Future of the Hit
Gandhari remains available on Netflix globally, and its viewership appears to be growing. The film’s position on the chart suggests continued momentum, though the critics’ verdict is unlikely to shift.
For now, the film stands as a reminder that popularity is not the same as quality. A film can be widely watched and poorly reviewed, and Gandhari is the current example of that dynamic.
The film’s success is a win for Pannu and for the Indian content machine that has dominated Netflix’s non-English offerings in recent years. The critics’ verdict, meanwhile, is a reminder that taste is subjective and that not every film will please everyone.
Gandhari is a hit, and it is a hit that critics despise. That is the story, and it is a good one.
See the video the story is built around at Collider.
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