A heartfelt yet oversimplified tale of autism, Tanvi The Great delivers emotional highs but falters in depth, relying on sentiment over nuance in its portrayal of neurodivergent experiences. Arnab Banerjee review’s the film.

Tanvi The Great, directed by Anupam Kher, is a Hindi drama film that tells the story of a young autistic woman pursuing her dream of honouring her soldier father. With performances by Shubhangi Dutt, Pallavi Joshi, Arvind Swami, and Boman Irani, the film touches on themes of neurodiversity and patriotism. While sincere in intention, the movie simplifies autism for mainstream audiences, echoing portrayals seen in films like Barfi and My Name Is Khan. Backed by M. M. Keeravani’s music and supported by NFDC, Tanvi The Great aims to inspire but lacks the authenticity and depth expected from true neurodivergent storytelling.

Director: Anupam Kher
Cast: Anupam Kher, Shubhangi Dutt, Boman Irani, Jackie Shroff, Arvind Swami, Pallavi Joshi, Karan Tacker, Nassar, Iain Glen
Music: M. M. Keeravani
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 

Sincere, but Made for the Vanilla Moviegoers!

In the cinematic world, autism is often depicted in one of two familiar forms: either the misunderstood genius with miraculous mental powers, or the socially awkward yet irresistibly charming soul who gently reminds everyone how to live more meaningful lives. Tanvi The Great chooses the latter.

Like many of its predecessors, it simplifies a complex neurodevelopmental condition into a digestible, inspirational narrative that leans heavily on sentiment, often at the expense of authenticity.

A Heartfelt Premise

Directed by Anupam Kher and produced by Anupam Kher Studio in association with the NFDC, Tanvi The Great tells the story of Tanvi (Shubhangi Dutt), a 21-year-old woman on the autism spectrum. Raised by her mother Vidya (Pallavi Joshi) and grandfather Colonel Pratap Raina (Anupam Kher), Tanvi is determined to honour the memory of her late father, Captain Samar Raina (Karan Tacker), by joining the Indian Army and saluting the national flag at Siachen Glacier—a dream he never lived to fulfil.

The premise is heartening, aiming to inspire through a message of perseverance and individuality. “Different, but no less,” Tanvi repeats throughout the film—a well-intentioned if slightly oversimplified mantra. Her journey is framed as one of self-discovery and triumph against societal expectations. However, despite the good intentions, the film struggles to strike a balance between dramatization and realism. The screenplay often feels overly engineered for emotional effect, sidestepping the more nuanced and difficult aspects of living with autism.

Simplification Over Nuance

Autism, as a condition, involves a broad spectrum of experiences that encompass differences in social communication, sensory sensitivities, and behavioural patterns. These complexities are often overlooked in favour of cinematic convenience. In Tanvi The Great, much like in Rain Man, The Unbreakable Boy, Barfi, and My Name Is Khan, autism becomes a narrative device—an engine to drive inspiration rather than an exploration of lived experience.

Though Bollywood has made strides, the research and representation still fall behind global standards.

Performances and Portrayals

As a filmmaker, Anupam Kher crafts a story that is deeply personal—reportedly inspired by his niece—but his direction leans toward the sentimental. His portrayal of Colonel Raina is sincere, and Shubhangi Dutt brings a certain earnestness to Tanvi’s role, though her performance at times reflects the inexperience of a newcomer. Among the ensemble cast, Arvind Swami stands out as Major Srinivasan, bringing depth to a character haunted by the guilt of Tanvi’s father's death. Boman Irani, Pallavi Joshi, Jackie Shroff, and Nassar all contribute reliably, though many of them are not given roles with much room to grow.

Pallavi Joshi and Kher, in particular, deliver measured performances—the former as Vidya, Tanvi’s mother, providing a grounded emotional centre to the film. Boman Irani’s character, a classical musician, feels underdeveloped, existing more as a narrative convenience than a meaningful presence. The same could be said for several of the veteran actors whose talents are underutilized.

Music, Tropes, and Misconceptions

1. M. Keeravani’s music serves as a pleasant interlude, but even here, the film treads familiar ground. Tanvi’s supposed gift for instantly mastering any melody reinforces the persistent trope that all autistic individuals possess savant-like talents—an appealing but misleading generalization. A couple of songs are wedged into the script as a mandatory ingredient since Tanvi is supposedly a great singer and can pick up any tune in a jiffy—a fallacy that is often associated with autistic children.

The film’s final act—featuring Tanvi undergoing military training and raising the flag at Siachen—is dramatically compelling, yet strains believability. While the intention is clearly to uplift, it oversimplifies the systemic and logistical realities of military service. What begins as a personal and grounded journey ends in a hyper-dramatic flourish, one that risks romanticizing rather than representing neurodiversity.

A Step Forward, But Not Quite There

There is, undoubtedly, a growing movement advocating for more authentic and inclusive depictions of autism, including the casting of neurodivergent actors and incorporating their voices into storytelling. Tanvi The Great, despite its sincerity, still falls short of that evolving standard. It simplifies where it might have explored, and glosses over where it could have educated.

In conclusion, Tanvi The Great may resonate with audiences seeking an emotionally charged, well-meaning tale of triumph. But for those looking for depth, nuance, or a truly representative portrayal of autism, it offers little more than polished sentiment. It's not a disservice—it’s just not enough!