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Bandie

Bandie is a 1978 Indian bilingual swashbuckler action film directed by Alo Sircar.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bandie is a 1978 Indian bilingual swashbuckler action film directed by Alo Sircar. It was shot in Bengali and Hindi, stars Uttam Kumar in dual roles, and is partly adapted from Anthony Hope's novel The Prisoner of Zenda.

Plot

The film follows a royal succession story involving a throne, a cousin's intrigue, and the struggle to protect the rightful heir. Netflix's synopsis describes Maharaj Brajbhan leaving his throne to his cousin Vikram until Brajbhan's wife conceives, prompting Vikram to plot against her.

Production

Bandie was produced by F. C. Mehra under Eagle Films and was made as a bilingual Bengali-Hindi production. It was designed as a swashbuckler action film and is associated with Uttam Kumar's Hindi-film appearances.

Release

The Hindi version of Bandie was released in India on 10 March 1978, while the Bengali version followed on 14 April 1978, coinciding with Pohela Boishakh.

Source material

The film is partly adapted from The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope. It has also been noted for plot similarities with the 1961 Bengali film Jhinder Bondi.

Key facts

  • Bandie is a 1978 Indian bilingual swashbuckler action film in Bengali and Hindi.
  • It was co-written and directed by Alo Sircar and produced by F. C. Mehra under Eagle Films.
  • Uttam Kumar plays dual roles in the film.
  • The film is partly adapted from Anthony Hope's 1894 novel The Prisoner of Zenda.
  • The Hindi version was released on 10 March 1978, and the Bengali version on 14 April 1978.
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Canadian context

Bandie is available on Netflix in Canada, making it accessible to Canadian viewers interested in classic Indian cinema.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bandie?
Bandie is a 1978 Indian bilingual swashbuckler action film made in Bengali and Hindi.
Who directed Bandie?
Bandie was co-written and directed by Alo Sircar.
Who stars in Bandie?
The film stars Uttam Kumar in dual roles, with Utpal Dutt, Amjad Khan, Sulakshana Pandit, Amrish Puri, Bindu, Iftekhar, Madan Puri, Prema Narayan, Helen, and Padma Khanna.
When was Bandie released?
The Hindi version was released on 10 March 1978, and the Bengali version on 14 April 1978.
What is Bandie based on?
Bandie is partly adapted from Anthony Hope's 1894 novel The Prisoner of Zenda.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandie
    Supports: Director, release year, bilingual Bengali/Hindi production, cast, producer, studio, and adaptation notes.
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/ca-fr/title/80158388
    Supports: Canadian availability, synopsis, and principal cast.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219315/
    Supports: Release date and basic film identification.