Hansal Mehta Reflects on Film Re-Releases Amidst 'The Buckingham Murders' OTT Debut

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, known for his critically acclaimed yet commercially modest films, has been a consistent presence in Indian cinema. Today, his latest work, The Buckingham Murders, debuts on an OTT platform after receiving positive reviews but underwhelming box-office returns. This outcome mirrors the journey of his previous films, such as Aligarh (2015) and Shahid (2012), which also earned critical acclaim but struggled in theaters. Both eventually found a broader and appreciative audience on streaming platforms, where they resonated with viewers who missed them during their initial releases.

In light of the recent trend of successful theatrical re-releases for older films, Mehta shared his thoughts on whether he would consider following suit. “If you have to do it, you should do it correctly. Re-releasing a film is an expensive process. I don’t have the money to do it,” he states frankly. The director, now 56, elaborates, “There is money required, especially for marketing and PR. I make a living out of directing. It’s fine. I am glad re-releases are working because films find their audience, which they might not have upon their original theatrical run. There is a whole new generation now. My films, which didn’t get recognised at the time they were released, have found viewers on streaming (platforms) and are being watched online. People message me even today for those works.”

As his latest film joins the streaming platform lineup, Mehta continues to stay busy. He is currently in post-production for his ambitious upcoming series Gandhi, starring Pratik Gandhi. Commenting on the project, he shared, “I can’t say much about it, but the shoot has wrapped up; it has shaped well.”

While Hansal Mehta may not be looking at theatrical re-releases for his past work, his films continue to thrive through OTT, enabling a lasting connection with new audiences and reaffirming his place as a respected voice in Indian cinema.