Tanvi The Great review: Soulful acting bogged down by uneven pacing, flat execution

India Today

18-07-2025

The soul of every underdog story is the universal spirit of human resilience and rising against all odds. Be it fighting limitations or battling adversaries, the journey must relate to human struggles. In order to find resonance among audiences, the narrative needs to honour the emotional engagement with subtle nuances and fleshed-out characters. Writer, director and producer Anupam Kher's emotional drama commences as a light-hearted take on autism, coupled with serene landscapes and heartfelt interactions. Do the plot, direction and performances serve justice to a delicately sensitive and crucial subject that demands human attention?advertisementDebutant Shubhangi Dutt accepts a Herculean challenge as ambitious as director Kher's vision as she portrays the titular role in 'Tanvi The Great'. Shubhangi, as Tanvi, considers herself to be different but no less. Inspired by her deceased father, Captain Samar Raina (Karan Tacker), an Indian Army officer, Tanvi dreams of hoisting the national flag in the Siachen at the Line of Control (LoC).While the protagonist is well-intended and determined, just like the film's narrative, there are many obstacles to her path. Can a specially-challenged individual qualify for the Services Selection Board (SSB) exams and join the Indian Army? Can an autistic girl undergo the intense physical training of the defence forces? Are patriotism and self-confidence the ultimate fuel to make you worthy of the army uniform?
'Tanvi The Great' begins as a deeply moving story, skillfully weaving a narrative of human compassion with high emotional stakes. However, the film loses focus, weighed down by an overly ambitious emotional arc that drifts from its promising premise.Tanvi's inner turmoil and angst due to the constant pursuit of not being heard has been amicably portrayed by Shubhangi. Under Kher's direction, the actor gave it her best shot in her first film. Her dedication to the craft reflects in her committed performance as an autistic girl, a challenging role for any newcomer indeed.Kher does an incredible job of extracting the acting brilliance of all the actors on board. However, the movie somehow loses its sheen as an emotionally enriching story. 'Tanvi The Great' bets big on Tanvi's dreams, but they unravel like glossy daydreams, not a grounded arc. The SSB (Service Selection Board) training feels more staged than lived-in, lacking the grit of real stakes. Defence protocols get tossed aside like plot afterthoughts, leaving realism in the rearview.Spoiler alert...Tanvi's inclination towards classical music and bhajans could have been a powerful window into her inner world. The film instead reduces a potentially nuanced trait to a caricature of savant-like brilliance. The protagonist's training under Major Srinivasan (Arvind Swami), her late father's former acquaintance, does have potential for emotional depth. But this setup is also squandered by an unrealistic training arc.Instead of showing the gruelling, incremental process required for qualifying the SSB (Service Selection Board), the film reduces Tanvi's preparation to drilling and an adrenaline-fuelled heroic act. The idea that, with minimal training, courage, will-power and endurance, the protagonist has the potential to clear SSB and reach the interview stage seems completely implausible. The SSB is a gauntlet that tests candidates over days, yet the film bypasses this reality, opting for a shortcut that diminishes Tanvi's agency and the authenticity of her struggle.advertisementThe biggest drawback of the story remains its portrayal of the Indian Army defying military and national security protocols. This fantasy, justified by the simplistic notion that "everyone has the right to dream", is a testament to the tonal clumsiness. The film's creative liberty as an excuse for emotional arc and human sensitivities ends up undervaluing the sanctity of our defence institutions.Jackie Shroff's Brigadier Joshi aka Tiger helps Tanvi to fulfill her dream. Equating the Indian Army as benevolent enablers of personal dreams, 'Tanvi: The Great' undermines the institution's discipline and the gravity of its mission.As one of the light-hearted, satirical moments meant for humour, the portrayal of a Gen-Z caricature is yet another lazy attempt at depicting youth. The stereotypical portrayal of a social media influencer, greeting elders with 'What's up' and 'yo man' peaks the ultimate cringe level. A half-baked character sketch about the obsession with selfies and Instagram followers hampers the otherwise serious tone of a sensitive story.advertisement 'Tanvi: The Great' deserves credit for centering a neurodivergent character. But instead of exploring the systemic barriers faced by autistic individuals, the film uses Tanvi's condition to justify its fantastical plot points. This approach reduces autism to a mere narrative device. The story prioritises sentimentality over substance and fails to offer an inspiring portrayal.Kher as a troubled grandfather pained by his granddaughter's struggles, once again proves his acting prowess. Throughout the film, he remains completely invested in Colonel Raina's character. His commanding screen presence gives a glimpse of his versatility. This yet again highlights the wonders 'Tanvi: The Great' would have done with well-woven characters and nuanced storytelling.Pallavi Joshi as a compassionate single mother is convincing in every frame. The talented ensemble of Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani, Karan Tacker and Arvind Swamy don't have enough scope in a one-dimensional story.The film could have crafted a narrative of genuine resilience. Instead, it turns a grounded story into a Disney-esque fantasy. The tired cliches, like the Ge- Z caricature, could have been avoided to create a cast of authentic, relatable characters.advertisement'Tanvi: The Great' begins with a spark of promise, fuelled by strong performances and a heartfelt premise. But its insistence on exaggerated heroics, implausible plot devices, and stereotypical portrayals derails its potential. The result is a film that tries too hard to make its protagonist 'special', forgetting that her humanity - her flaws, struggles, and quiet triumphs - would have been enough.Stories based on sensitive subjects demand care, authenticity, and restraint. This film, sadly, delivers none of these.- Ends2 out of 5 stars for 'Tanvi: The Great'