12 May,2025 07:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka Sharma
Dinesh Vijan
Dinesh Vijan's films have had a good run in theatres since last year - if Munjya and Stree 2 were among the few successes that Bollywood enjoyed in 2024, the producer delivered a blockbuster in Chhaava this year. Now, Maddock Films is gearing up for the release of Bhool Chuk Maaf, while Cocktail 2 will go on floors soon, and the scripting of Vicky Kaushal's Mahavatar is underway. That's quite a populous slate. But there's more. Three of the banner's films - Pooja Meri Jaan, Rumi Ki Sharafat, and Sarvagunn Sampanna - have been shot and ready, but staring at an uncertain future.
What's been the hold-up? Sources say Vijan's attempts to strike a deal for their OTT première haven't worked out to his liking yet. He is confident of their content - after all, Huma Qureshi and Mrunal Thakur's Pooja Meri Jaan highlights the issue of stalking, while Radhikka Madan's Rumi Ki Sharafat is a social comedy. "All these mid-sized films have varied subjects with strong performances, falling in line with the banner's vision of bringing diverse content. But after being ready for over a year, they are facing delays as Dinesh hasn't been able to crack a deal with streamers that befits these projects. He believes the films deserve a certain figure, but the platforms feel they are too expensive," says a source.
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Last year, mid-day had reported that Pooja Meri Jaan's release was pushed from November 2024 as Vijan wanted it to première after Chhaava (Raja trumps Pooja, Oct 14). Rumi Ki Sharafat was shot in 2023, as was Sarvagunn Sampanna. Another insider notes, "If one looks at it from Dinesh's point of view, he is right. Maddock Films is in a position to wait it out. After the pandemic, the acquisition budgets have reduced. But Dinesh doesn't want to sell them at a price that doesn't do justice to their potential."
mid-day reached out to Vijan's team, who didn't respond till press time.
