A film once considered too controversial for theaters in its home country is gaining attention again online. The underground movie Gandu has resurfaced in discussions after becoming available on Netflix in some regions.

Directed by Qaushiq Mukherjee, the film first premiered in 2010. Shot in gritty black-and-white, it tells the story of a rebellious young rapper navigating frustration, ambition, and the underground music scene.

The protagonist secretly steals money from his mother’s partner while immersing himself in music, drugs, and chaotic adventures. The film’s raw style and unconventional storytelling reflect the character’s anger and sense of alienation.

However, the movie became widely known not for its storyline but for a controversial scene involving its lead actors, Anubrata Basu and Rii Sen.

In that moment, the performers appear to engage in unsimulated intimacy on camera—something extremely rare in narrative filmmaking. According to director Qaushiq Mukherjee, both actors were aware of the scene and agreed to it as part of the film’s artistic vision.

The reaction was immediate when the film appeared at festivals. Some viewers reportedly walked out of screenings, and the explicit content made it difficult for the movie to secure traditional theatrical distribution in India.

Despite the controversy, some critics praised the film’s daring style. The publication Variety described it as a high-energy work that captures the rebellious spirit of underground culture.

With streaming now introducing the film to new audiences, debate has returned. Some viewers admire its bold artistic choices, while others feel it crosses boundaries. More than a decade after its release, Gandu continues to spark discussion about artistic freedom and the limits of provocative cinema.