Template:Infobox television Bandwaale is a 2026 Indian Hindi-language musical comedy drama television series directed by Akshat Verma and Ankur Tewari it features Swanand Kirkire, Zahan Kapoor and Shalini Pandey in lead roles, alongside a supporting ensemble cast.[1] The series premiered on 13 February 2026 on Prime Video.[2][3][4]
Synopsis
Set in Ratlam, the series follows Mariam, a young poet who struggles against the constraints of tradition and limited autonomy in her surroundings. Seeking self-expression and a sense of identity, she begins posting her poetry anonymously online. Her path gradually intersects with Robo, a brass band vocalist, and DJ Psycho, whose companionship and encouragement inspire her to pursue her artistic aspirations.
Cast
- Swanand Kirkire as Robo Kumar
- Zahan Kapoor as DJ Psycho
- Shalini Pandey as Mariam
- Ashish Vidyarthi as David
- Sanjana Dipu as Cynthia
- Anupama Kumar as Valsala
- Vikram Kochhar as Rafi
- Robin Das as Ismail
- Naushad Mohammed Kunju as Sebastian
- Addis Akkara as Roysten
Release
The trailer was released on 11 February 2026 [5]
The series began streaming on Prime Video on 13 February 2026.[6][7]
Reception
Rahul Deasi of The Hollywood Reporter India writes that "The endless 8-episode seeries revolves around a small-town poetess who struggles to break free from societal shackles."[8] Abhishek Srivastava of Times of India gave 2.5 stars out of 5 and said that "‘Bandwaale’ comes across as a safe idea stretched into a full series without enough substance to sustain it. It is sincere, but sincerity alone does not create engagement. The themes of ambition, self-expression, and friendship are present, yet they are handled in a way that feels cautious."[9] Deepa Gahlot writing for scroll.in stated that "the series derails into absurd subplots that have no bearing on anything else going on in the family. If there’s a melodramatic misunderstanding over a pregnancy, there’s also a crazy rescue from a charlatan’s clinic."[10]
Vinamra Mathur of Firstpost rated it 2.5 stars out of 5 and said that "There are a lot of boxes that Bandwaale tries to tick. But most of them now feel tried and tested."[11] Divya Nair of Rediff.com gave 3.5 stars out of 4 and said that "Kudos to the makers for attempting to create a meaningful series, Bandwaale, that blends the beauty of music to inspire you to look within, and find your voice."[12] Pritinanda Behera of India Today rated it 2/5 stars and writes that "Bandwaale attempts to tell a heartfelt story about dreams, artistic freedom, and small-town pressures but falters due to scattered storytelling and predictable tropes."[13]
References
- ↑ Watch: In series ‘Bandwaale’, a poet, a singer and a DJ get together to make music. scroll.in(11 February 2026). Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ Shalini Pandey’s Musical Dramedy Bandwaale Trailer Out, To Premiere On THIS Date. News 18(11 February 2026). Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ Swanand Kirkire, Shalini Pandey and Zahan Kapoor’s series Bandwaale gets release date. Cinema Express(9 February 2026). Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ Bandwaale' set to stream on OTT: When and where to watch the new musical drama. The Times of India(10 February 2026). Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ Bandwaale trailer: Shalini Pandey and Zahan Kapoor lead a band of small-town misfits bridging the gap between brass and beats to make art against all odds. OTT Play(11 February 2026). Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ Zahan Kapoor, Shalini Pandey lead Prime Video's Bandwaale. Release date announced. India Today(9 February 2026). Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ↑ Prime Video’s musical dramedy Bandwaale, starring Shalini Pandey, Zahan Kapoor and Swanand Kirkire, to launch on February 13. Bollywood Hungama(9 February 2026). Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ↑ ‘Bandwaale’ Series Review: A Bland and Dusty Musical Comedy, Desai, Rahul. The Hollywood Reporter India(21 February 2026).
- ↑ Bandwaale Season 1 Review : A musical drama without the pulse, Srivastava, Abhishek. The Times of India(13 February 2026).
- ↑ Review: ‘Bandwaale’ strikes many sour notes, Gahlot, Deepa. Scroll.in(13 February 2026).
- ↑ 'Bandwaale' Web-Series Review: Shalini Pandey and Zahan Kapoor are fine, but Swanand Kirkire steals this show about music and madness, Mathur, Vinamra. Firstpost(13 February 2026).
- ↑ Bandwaale Review: Soulful, Nair, Divya. Rediff.com(13 February 2026).
- ↑ Bandwaale review: A tale of poetry and passion that loses its rhythm, Bahera, Paritinanda. India Today(13 February 2026).