‘Tanvi The Great’ Premieres At Cannes, Highlights Autism And Courage Through An Emotional Journey

Hindi film Tanvi The Great, directed by actor Anupam Kher, premiered at the Olympia Theatre during the Film Bazaar at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday night, 17 May. Anupam Kher, Ian Glen, Boman Irani, Pallavi Joshi, Arvind Swami, Karan Tacker and Shubhangi Dutt played lead roles in the film. All the main actors joined Anupam Kher at the premiere. After the screening, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Pallavi Joshi and Shubhangi Dutt interacted with the audience.

Anupam Kher said he took two years to write the script. He got the idea when he met his niece who suffers from autism disorder. This is a congenital condition that affects natural development. Around one percent of the world’s population lives with this disorder.

Tanvi, played by debutant Shubhangi Dutt, is a 17-18-year-old girl with autism disorder. She dreams of becoming a singer. Her father, Captain Samar Pratap Raina (Karan Tacker), wishes to serve at Bana Post in Siachen. He wants to salute the Indian tricolour from the last military outpost. He receives the posting. But while travelling with Major Kailash Srinivasan (Arvind Swami), their truck hits a mine. Captain Raina sacrifices his life to save his friend.

Tanvi’s mother, Vidya Raina (Pallavi Joshi), is an autism disorder specialist. She lives in Delhi and raises Tanvi alone. One day, she gets a nine-month fellowship from the World Autism Foundation of America. She must complete research under its president, Michael Simon (Ian Glen). But she worries about leaving Tanvi alone. Tanvi cannot manage even simple tasks like tying her shoelaces.

Vidya takes Tanvi to her grandfather, Colonel Pratap Raina (Anupam Kher). He lives alone in a military cantonment in the Himalayan hills after his wife’s death. Tanvi joins a local music school run by Raja Saheb (Boman Irani). Life settles down until Tanvi finds a pen drive in her father’s locked room. She learns how he died and about his unfulfilled dream. Inspired, she decides to join the Indian Army to honour him.

A special child’s military dream

The law does not allow people with autism disorder to join the Indian Army. Tanvi begins a tough journey. She trains for the SSB exam. At the same time, she grows close to her grandfather. Both begin to understand each other. This emotional bond forms the film’s heart.

Tanvi leaves the music school. She joins the training academy run by Major Srinivasan. This is the same officer her father saved. Tanvi’s honesty and dedication move everyone. The Army cannot recruit her officially. But they allow her to fulfil her father’s dream as a civilian. The film raises many social questions through this plot.

A line repeated in the film is, “I am different but not less.” The story shows that being different does not mean being abnormal. In America, Vidya tells in her research that children with autism disorder can live normal lives with care and practice.

The film features Brigadier Sharma (Jackie Shroff). His son, a social media influencer, mocks Army life as outdated and worthless. Anupam Kher avoids over-praising the Army. He keeps the focus on family ties and human emotions.

Music, memories, and meaning

Kher has shot the songs with care. One patriotic song, “Sena ki Jai, Jai Ho Jaye,” stands out. The film uses language-based humour by mispronouncing Hindi words. Kher avoids flashy sets. He keeps attention on the script. A tree in the house courtyard, planted in memory of Tanvi’s father, becomes a space for reflection. It adds emotional depth.

Tanvi fails the final round of the SSB exam. But she achieves her father’s dream in civilian form. In a key scene, she saves Raja Saheb’s life during training. She disobeys Major Srinivasan’s order to do this. She faces dismissal but earns deep respect.

All the actors perform well. Nasir (as Brigadier K N Rao) and Jackie Shroff (as Brigadier Joshi) impress in brief roles. Anupam Kher delivers strongly. Pallavi Joshi stands out. But Shubhangi Dutt, in her first film, steals the show as Tanvi.

Also Read: Indian Army Releases ‘Op Sindoor’ Video: ‘Planned, Trained & Executed, Justice Served’