n Indian cinema, Anurag Kashyap is known as the filmmaker who refuses to walk on established paths. From Gangs of Wasseypur to Mukkabaaz, Manmarziyaan, and Kennedy, his stories have always carried a certain restlessness—a gaze that dives into the dim corners of cities and listens to the voices of people living at the margins.
His latest film, ** Nishanchi **, along with its direct-to-digital sequel, once again places that restlessness before the audience—this time in a brand-new format.

Prime Video announced on Friday that ‘Nishanchi’ is now streaming, and simultaneously released its digital sequel directly on the platform—without a theatrical run.
It’s not just a sign of OTT’s growing power; it’s also a hint that major filmmakers are embracing dual-release storytelling strategies.

“From Cinematic Productions to Over-the-Top (OTT) Platforms: The Evolution of Nishanchi and Anurag Kashyap”

Released on 19 September, Nishanchi entered conversations for several reasons.
Foremost among them: it marks the debut of Aishwarya Thackeray, the granddaughter of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Star kids entering Bollywood is common, but a young member of the Thackeray family stepping into mainstream Hindi cinema naturally made waves.

It is also the first time Kashyap introduced a newcomer through such a demanding task: a double role.
Aishwarya plays Babloo and Dabloo, twin brothers identical in face but dramatically different in heart and direction. One slips deeper into the world of crime, while the other wrestles with moral dilemmas as he tries to protect his family.

Kashyap has always been fascinated by ordinary people caught in extraordinary internal storms—and Nishanchi is another extension of that cinematic philosophy.

Motherhood, Love, and Crime — The Emotional Spine of the Film Anurag Kashyap

Monica Panwar plays the mother of the twin brothers. In Kashyap’s universe, mothers often serve as the emotional anchor—whether it’s Nagma Khatoon in Wasseypur or the strong women in many of his later films. In Nishanchi, too, the mother becomes the quiet compass directing the brothers’ journeys.

In contrast, Vedika Pinto, as Rinki—Babloo’s love interest, brings a gentle softness into the narrative.
Kashyap’s worlds may be filled with violence, chaos, and anger, but love in his films often becomes a paradoxical light—something that can save characters or push them deeper into darkness.

The official IMDb logline—“A tale of brotherhood, betrayal, love and liberation”—captures the theme well. But Kashyap’s films always hold a larger social undercurrent beneath the surface. Nishanchi goes beyond crime to examine two different versions of humanity.

A Dream Written in 2016 — Now Fully Realized

One of the most fascinating aspects of Nishanchi is its long gestation.
The script was written in 2016. Kashyap told Variety he needed a studio willing to give him complete creative freedom.

The film eventually materialized through Jar Pictures and Flip Films, with distribution handled by Amazon MGM Studios.
The collaboration shows that OTT platforms are no longer just alternative release outlets—they are becoming the first home for creative experiments.

The Digital Sequel — A New Trend for Indian Cinema?

A sequel released directly on a digital platform is a bold step.
In the West, such hybrid strategies—big films paired with immediate or parallel digital continuations—are familiar.
In India, this experiment could mark a new direction.

Prime Video’s announcement teased viewers with the line:
“Babloo, Dabloo, and Rinki… the whole gang, the whole story—won’t you watch?”

The tone makes it clear: the sequel is not merely an extension but an enhanced experience, something that the theatrical run alone could not deliver.

Aishwarya Thackeray — A New Face, New Expectations

Aishwarya’s debut is significant in its own right. Bollywood doesn’t have many actors from political families, so his arrival naturally raises curiosity.

A double role is not only technically complex but emotionally demanding. Balancing two characters with contrasting moral worlds is a big test for any newcomer.

Kashyap has a legacy of shaping actors—Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Rajkummar Rao, Taapsee Pannu, and many others.
If all goes well, Aishwarya may become the next name in that lineage.

Anurag Kashyap’s Vision — A Story Beyond Crime

Calling Nishanchi a crime drama feels too narrow.
In Kashyap’s world, crime is merely the canvas—never the final subject.

He uses the crime universe to explore relationships, inequality, betrayal, and psychological turmoil.
In Nishanchi, crime becomes just the starting point for two brothers’ diverging journeys—not their destination.

The film seems to ask:

If two people look the same, do their souls mirror each other, too?
If not, does the difference come from circumstance—or choice?

Anurag Kashyap’s Next Stop — Daku

Kashyap will next be seen acting in ‘Daku’, an action drama starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, set for release in March 2026.
His foray into acting in recent years has been well-received, and Daku continues that chapter of his creative journey.

Conculsion

Nishanchi reminds us that cinema is no longer confined to a single screen or format—it breathes, expands, and finds new meaning as it moves into the digital world. Through the chaos of crime, the tenderness of fam,ily and the quiet tug-of-war between two identical yet opposite souls, Kashyap offers a story that feels raw and deeply human. The film’s shift from theatres to OT, and its direct digital sequel, signal not just a new storytelling experiment but a new way of experiencing emotion itself. In the end, Nishanchi suggests that while fate may outline, it is our choices that fill in the colours—and define who we truly become.

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