Tanvi The Great Movie Review: A Soulful Journey of Courage, Love & Autism Awareness

From the moment the trailer dropped, Tanvi The Great started trending across social media, film forums, and Bollywood fan circles. The buzz wasn’t about typical glitz, it was something deeper. Audiences were captivated by the promise of a heartfelt drama led by a fresh face, bolstered by the return of veteran actor and director Anupam Kher to direction after over two decades. The film promised emotional depth, representation, and a spirit of hope ingredients that made viewers sit up and take notice.

Ahead of its 18 July 2025 release, anticipation built steadily. With an inspiring trailer and a moving premise an autistic young woman striving to join the Indian Army to honour her late father the film captured hearts long before it hit screens.

Tanvi The Great : Star Cast & Crew

Shubhangi Dutt as Tanvi Raina, a 21 year old autistic girl; making a powerful debut, her performance is already drawing acclaim.
Anupam Kher wears multiple hats as Col. Pratap Raina, actor, director, writer, and producer of the film.
Supporting cast includes Boman Irani (Raza Saab), Pallavi Joshi (Vidya Raina), Jackie Shroff (Brig. Joshi), Arvind Swami (Major Srinivasan), Iain Glen, Nassar, and Karan Tacker (Capt. Samar Raina) .
Music by Oscar winner M. M. Keeravani, with lyrics from Kausar Munir and others .
Cinematography by Keiko Nakahara and editing by Tushar Parekh; the runtime is approximately 159–160 minutes

Tanvi The Great : Plot Synopsis

Tanvi Raina, autistic and resilient, has grown up under the care of her mother, an autism expert. When her mother travels to New York for a conference, Tanvi is sent to stay with her father’s father, retired Col. Pratap Raina, in Lansdowne a transition that challenges both of them emotionally.

At her new home, Tanvi’s world begins to open through music teacher Raza Saab (Boman Irani) and the compassionate Brig. Joshi (Jackie Shroff). The emotional turning point arrives when Tanvi discovers her late father’s dream: to salute the Indian flag at the forbidding Siachen Glacier Bana Post.

Inspired, Tanvi makes a seemingly impossible decision: to join the Indian Army and fulfil that dream herself. With Major Srinivasan (Arvind Swami) supporting her and her grandfather initially resistant, the film charts a journey of societal barriers, personal struggle, and emotional triumph.

Tanvi The Great : Songs & Score

While critics noted the songs are under used on screen, their haunting melodies lingered long after the credits rolled. Noteworthy tracks include:

“Goodbye”
“Sena Ki Jai”
“Tanvi Ki Jai”
“O Mere Manmohana”
“Man Chala Manwa”

The background score, described as gentle and fitting, enhances emotional beats without overpowering the narrative.

Tanvi The Great: Ratings & Reviews: Validated Scores from Major Platforms

Publication	Rating	Summary Highlights
India Today	2 / 5	Shubhangi Dutt’s acting debut is soulful and committed, but the film is weighed down by uneven pacing, flat execution, and an overly ambitious emotional arc.
Moneycontrol	3.5/5	Describes “a tender, quietly powerful film” that moves you without raising its voice, praising Anupam Kher’s restraint and heartfelt direction.
The Times of India	4 / 5	Lauds the film for its emotionally honest storytelling and gentle exploration of difference, avoiding melodrama.
Bollywood Hungama	2 / 5	Calls it heartfelt and well-intentioned, with moments that shine—though the writing, length, and second half lose momentum.
The Indian Express	2.5 / 5	Notes that the film leaves one conflicted—Tanvi’s achievements are impressive, but the film’s emotional promise isn’t fully realized.
NDTV	2 / 5	Highlights Shubhangi’s enterprising but inconsistent central performance and calls the film easy on the eye but unstably executed.
Hindustan Times	3 / 5	Credits emotional core and heartfelt performances, but flags logical slippages in the second half.

Tanvi The Great: Personal Verdict

Why it works:

Shubhangi Dutt shines as Tanvi one of the most sincere and emotionally truthful debut performances in recent times.
Anupam Kher’s directorial return brings restraint, heart, and a grounded storytelling style that resists melodrama.
Emotional truth lies in the simple, lived in moments: the silence of understanding between dadu and granddaughter, the healing power of music, and the quiet dignity of a fiercely personal dream.

Where it falters:

The second half turns overly ambitious, sacrificing realism and emotional weight for dramatic escalation.
Some pacing issues and length (159–160 minutes) make parts of it feel dragged.
Fantasy elements in army training and climax push the film into plausibility concerns.
Songs, though melodious, could have been woven in better without interrupting flow .

Final thought: Tanvi The Great is a moving, earnest film that offers representation, emotion, and inspiration. With stronger writing tightness, it could have soared higher but its heart remains unquestionable.

FAQs

Q: Who plays Tanvi, and how’s her performance?
A: Shubhangi Dutt makes an impactful debut. Critics compare her to Priyanka Chopra’s nuanced ‘Jhilmil’ in Barfi!, but note her portrayal is original, sensitive, and genuinely touching .

Q: What is the central theme?
A: An autistic young woman honours her late father’s dream to salute the flag at Siachen by trying to join the Indian Army, overcoming societal, personal, and structural barriers through courage, music, and love.

Q: How are the reviews?
A: The film holds a warm critical consensus (approx. 3–4 stars among supportive outlets like Times of India and Moneycontrol), though some critics flag narrative lapses and pacing issues, especially in Act II.

Q: Are the songs memorable?
A: Yes , songs like “Man Chala Manwa” and “O Mere Manmohana” leave a lingering impact even if their on‑screen appearance is limited. The background score is subtle and effective .

Q: Does it pass the representation test?
A: Largely yes—Tanvi is a well‑rounded character whose autism is treated with sensitivity. Though criticism exists about occasional inconsistency, the intention and major portrayal shine through.

In summary, Tanvi The Great is a film with heart anchored by a breakout performance, steady direction, and a theme that matters. It might stretch your suspension of disbelief in parts, but its emotional resonance and sincere message linger long after the curtains fall. If you love cinema that uplifts, educates, and celebrates quiet strength, this one deserves a watch.

Prashant

Hi, I’m Prashant Jain — a curious soul, storyteller, and content creator at heart.I’ve always been drawn to the world of entertainment, travel, sports, health & lifestyle — not just as a writer, but as someone who genuinely lives these experiences. Whether I’m binge-watching the latest OTT series, exploring offbeat spiritual destinations in India, or diving deep into wellness routines and cricket match insights, I love sharing what I discover with like-minded readers.
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