Anupam Kher’s ‘Tanvi the Great’ Turns Autism Into a Superpower at Cannes

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In an innovative twist, the renowned Indian filmmaker Anupam Kher’s newest project, titled “Tanvi the Great,” presents autism as a unique ability instead of a handicap. This groundbreaking movie will be showcased at the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film.

21-year-old Tanvi Raina, a woman with autism, is portrayed as “Tanvi the Great”. She embarks on an extraordinary journey when she uncovers her deceased father’s, a former Indian Army officer, unfulfilled wish – to pay tribute at Siachen, the highest battlefield globally, by saluting the Indian flag. Facing opposition from society and challenges within institutions regarding the inclusion of autistic individuals in the military, Tanvi remains steadfast in her resolve to make this dream a reality.

In the movie we’ve made, a line goes, ‘The opposite of ordinary isn’t abnormal; it’s extraordinary.’ As Kher points out, Tanvi shares similarities with Superman, Batman, and more realistically, she’s witty, intelligent, playful, and downright hilarious.

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In the movie, a line reads, ‘What’s opposite of ordinary isn’t abnormal, it’s extraordinary.’ Kher likens Tanvi to Superman, Batman, and in a more realistic sense, she’s quick-witted, bright, teasing, and undeniably funny.

Kher’s method differs significantly from the conventional portrayal of autism in Indian films, which frequently resorts to stereotypes and exaggerations. Instead, he views autism as a unique ability. As he puts it, “I truly feel that autism is a superpower.” Bill Gates and Elon Musk are examples of individuals who are on the autism spectrum. There are also many actors and actresses with autism. For Kher, autism was never something to be seen as a disadvantage.

The movie’s concept originated from Kher’s 13-year-old niece Tanvi, who is autistic. At a family wedding in Delhi, Kher observed her standing by herself, staring off into the distance. When he inquired about her gaze, she responded casually: “I’m looking at my world.

Kher explains that he couldn’t express what her universe was like, nor could he comprehend it himself. This enigma, however, sparked deep thoughts within him.

After finding that seed, Kher felt motivated to get back on track. He explains that he had been exploring different topics, but whenever he sat down to work on them, he realized his heart wasn’t into it. Since his 2002 debut with “Om Jai Jagadish,” he had stayed away from the director’s chair. It took him 22 years to discover the story that finally sparked his interest again.

Tanvi’s crucial part in the movie led Kher to select Shubhangi Dutt, a gold medalist from his acting school, Actor Prepares. During a masterclass practice session, he observed that Dutt was the only student whose face radiated total serenity while others were more expressive.

She appeared entirely untroubled, while others around her were expressing emotions like frowns or smiles. In some way, I sensed that Tanvi might be similar in her calm demeanor.

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I immersed myself in preparing for my role by spending 15 days with the real-life counterpart of Tanvi. However, director Kher advised me against mimicking her physical gestures. Instead, he encouraged me to seize her essence and the purity she exudes in every action. In his words, “You don’t need to copy her mannerisms. You just have to capture her soul and the pure spirit that she embodies.

Dutt, who harbored a lifelong passion for acting despite her family’s opposition, discovered the essence of autism lies in authenticity. She observed that a shared trait among individuals with autism was their sincerity. “What I noticed in everyone was that pureness,” Dutt expressed, “They are incredibly true to themselves and to their surroundings… there’s no pretense or manipulation. They simply speak the truth.

Tanvi the Great’s creation faced numerous hurdles and unexpected blessings, which Kher interprets as signs of the project’s unique character. The most intriguing instance was how Japanese cinematographer Keiko Nakahara became part of the team. At first, she declined due to her pregnancy. However, months later, she contacted Kher again. It turned out that she had just found out that her newborn son had been diagnosed with autism, coincidentally around the same time she received Kher’s calls about a movie focusing on an autistic lead character.

Upon returning home, I found three unanswered calls from you. After giving you a call, you shared the news that it was about a girl with autism who possesses special abilities. Hearing this, I expressed my desire to be involved in the film project because I believe this will help shape my son’s perspective.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I found financing the production to be another formidable challenge. When my dedicated investor suddenly withdrew just a month before filming was set to begin, Kher stood firm and refused to delay the project. “If this movie isn’t made according to this timeline, it simply won’t happen,” he asserted, ultimately convincing friends, non-resident Indians, and the National Film Development Corporation of India to invest in our vision.

The movie showcases a diverse group of actors, with Kher portraying Col. Pratap Raina (grandfather to the character Tanvi), Pallavi Joshi playing Vidya Raina (Tanvi’s mother), Boman Irani taking on the role of a music instructor, Arvind Swamy acting as Tanvi’s military coach, Jackie Shroff appearing as a commandant, and Iain Glen from “Game of Thrones” assuming a prominent part.

Dutt describes working with these established performers as being “a cub surrounded by lions.”

Offscreen, the movie is backed by an Academy Award-winning musician, M.M. Keeravani (“RRR”), and sound design by another Oscar winner, Resul Pookutty (“Slumdog Millionaire”).

The movie is marketed as a globally produced film in the Hindi language, distinct from conventional Bollywood productions. “I was raised amidst films from a joyous era,” Kher expresses. “We’ve found ourselves in a cinematic environment where we consider goodness to be dull; I personally believe that goodness is extremely trendy and beneficial.

The movie ‘Tanvi the Great,’ a production by Anupam Kher Studio and India’s National Film Development Corporation, is set for release. A book chronicling its creation, entitled ‘Different but No Less,’ will be available in early June before the film premieres.

When queried about what they want viewers to retain from the movie, Dutt replies, “Always keep faith in kindness.

Kher expresses that his life’s path is a reflection of his unwavering faith in optimism. Arriving in the city with just 37 rupees [equivalent to $4.25] on June 3, 1981, he has embraced an approach to cinema that exudes positivity and kindness. He is a firm advocate for films with uplifting themes, and his dream was to create a movie about a girl who embodies nothing but goodness.

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2025-05-18 08:50