A wave of rereleases has gripped India, with several fan-favourite Bollywood titles returning to the big screen. Throughout India, a slew of older films are being re-released to help cinemas breathe after the pandemic, and the past year saw many Bollywood titles return to the big screen — like Imtiaz Ali’s Jab We Met, Laila Majnu, and Rockstar; Madhavan’s Rehna Hai Tere Dil Main; Salman Khan’s Maine Pyar Kiya; Hrithik Roshan’s Lakshya; Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur; and Govinda’s Aankhen (1993).
Here is a list of titles that are out on the big-screen again or are set to make a comeback in March and April:
Imtiaz Ali’s Highway, starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, is currently playing in theatres across India. The film, originally released in 2014, re-released on March 7 and is set to be screened until March 13 across PVR and Inox cinemas. The re-release, as per PVR INOX, comes on the occasion of the upcoming Women’s Day.
The 2014 comedy-drama film which catapulted Kangana Ranaut into stardom is currently running in theatres. Directed by Vikas Bahl, the film was produced by Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and Madhu Mantena. The film, which told an inspiring tale of a Punjabi girl’s adventure in Paris and Amsterdam, was a commercial and critical success. The film was named Best Hindi Film at the 62nd National Film Awards, apart from getting Ranaut the Best Actress award.
Vikramaditya Motwane’s lush romantic film Lootera (2015), starring Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha, re-released in theatres on March 7. Set in Bengal in the 1950s, the film is an adaptation of O. Henry’s famous short story, The Last Leaf. The film was well-received upon release, despite being a moderate performer at the box-office.
Vikrant Massey, then a television star, made his mark on the big screen in the role of Ranveer’s sidekick. The film also featured veteran Bengali actor Barun Chanda in a pivotal role.
Madhur Bhandarkar’s 2008 film Fashion, starring Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Mugdha Godse, is back on the big screen. The film, which performed moderately at the box office in its initial run, won two awards at the 56th National Film Awards – Best Actress (for Chopra) and Best Supporting Actress (for Ranaut).
Rajkummar Rao, Kriti Kharbanda’s Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana has made a surprise return to cinemas this year. The romance comedy film, directed by Ratnaa Sinha, got mixed reviews from the audience and grossed averagely at the box office during its initial release in 2017.
Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif’s romantic drama, Namaste London, will return to theatres on the festival of Holi on March 14. The Vipul Amrutlal Shah-directed movie had emerged as a huge blockbuster in the country when it was originally released in cinemas in March 2007. The movie also starred the late Rishi Kapoor as well as Javed Sheikh, Upen Patel and Clive Standen.
The superhit Marathi romantic drama tragedy, directed by Nagraj Manjule and starring Rinku Rajguru and Akash Thosar, is all set to be re-released in theatres on March 21. The critically acclaimed movie, originally released in 2016, was made on a reported budget of Rs 4 crore. The film went on to earn Rs 110 crore at the box office, making it the highest-grossing Marathi film of all time.
You can now watch English, August-fame Dev Benegal’s 2009 road movie (duh!), Road, Movie, on the big screen. Shot primarily in Rajasthan and Kutch, the film features Abhay Deol as a restless young man who hits the road with a travelling cinema and meets quite a few colourful and unforgettable characters. Satish Kaushik and Tannishtha Chatterjee appear in pivotal supporting roles. The film, despite getting positive reviews, turned out to be a disaster at the box office.
Yash Raj Films re-released their iconic 1997 film, Dil To Pagal Hai, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor, on February 28. Directed by legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra, the film ruled the box office during its original release, emerging as the highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year. It told the story of a love triangle between three dancers, portrayed by Khan, Dixit and Kapoor.
Actor Harshvardhan Rane’s 2016 romance drama made a splash when it was re-released in February. The film surpassed its initial box office collection in just two days of re-release in theatres. Also starring Pakistani actor Mawra Hocane, the romance drama is directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru. The film is still playing in many theatres across India.
Meanwhile, a bunch of superstar Aamir Khan’s films are releasing in PVR Inox theatres later this week as a part of ‘Aamir Khan: Cinema Ka Jadugar,’ a film festival that celebrates Bollywood superstar Aamir’s contribution to Indian cinema. The festival is set to commence on March 14, Aamir’s birthday, and will continue until March 27.
Sarfarosh, Dil Chahta Hai, Rang De Basanti, Ghulam, Dangal, Lagaan, PK, Taare Zameen Par, Dhoom 3, Fanaa, Talaash, Laal Singh Chaddha, Raja Hindustani, Dil, Akele Hum Akelu Tum, and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke are some of the films that are slated to be screened as a part of Aamir Khan: Cinema Ka Jadugar
Published – March 11, 2025 03:35 pm IST
Hindi cinema
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Indian cinema
