By Nitin Sharma

The trend of re-releases is on. This isn’t something new though as back in the 80s and the 90s, this used to be quite prevalent where many films arrived in theatres all over again, and that too on multiple prints. In fact especially in the 90s, movies starring Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Mithun Chakraborty, Dharmendra and others used to arrive with different titles as well with newly designed posters. Though that doesn’t happen now, a few select films invoking nostalgia are being regularly brought back to the audiences by multiplexes week after week.

Rehnna Hai Terre Dil Mein

This week’s biggest re-release is Rehnna Hai Terre Dil Mein. The film was a flop on its theatrical release but has stayed on to be viewers’ favourite over the last two decades with multiple reruns on satellite and availability on OTT. In fact the songs stay on to be chartbusters till date and the chemistry between Madhavan and Dia Mirza is much loved too. Every prominent multiplex across the major cities has reserved at least one show each for this romantic entertainer that should find food footfalls over the weekend.

Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1 and 2

Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs Of Wasseypur is a cult classic ever since its two parts arrived in theatres a decade back. The highest grossers by the filmmaker with combined business of around 50 crores, it is notable for the lead performances by Manoj Bajpayee and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the respective parts and the numerous fantastic actors who appeared in the film. An epic saga of revenge, it has seen a release as well this weekend and one waits to see how masses pick this up again in cinemas.

Tumbbad

On its theatrical release a few years back, horror flick Tumbbad has done fair business. Though over the years it has gained quite some prominence due to its OTT presence, back then it was just about okay. However, with horror comedies turning out to be so good this year with Munjya as well as Stree 2 covering a huge distance, the makers of Tumbbad have brought it back in theatres. In terms of its essence though, it’s closer to Shaitaan. The film hasn’t got as widespread release as one would have expected and perhaps it will see an increase in shows basis early response.

Laila Majnu

This is a classic case of a film eventually finding its due. With Triptii Dimri and Avinash Tiwary in key roles, the film had released a few years back and folded up under 3 crores mark. It just didn’t manage to make any sort of presence in theatres as audiences were not even aware of it. However, success of Bad Newz and Madgaon Express this year has brought the actors back in circulation and now the film has been re-released to a very good response where it will end up doing at least three times the business of the original arrival. This one is the biggest grosser till date for any re-release in the recent times. 

Maine Pyaar Kiya

Released last week, the film came largely unannounced with not many being aware. Even though the all time blockbuster has been loved over the decades, ironically it didn’t work at all on its theatrical re-release this season. The Salman Khan and Bhagyashree starrer was expected to invoke nostalgia but a sparse release in select show at few theatres meant that it disappeared in a jiffy.

Rockstar

This is the film that started it all. Over the years the Imtiaz Ali film has gained cult status amongst the audiences. On social media especially, the film has lived in for a decade. No wonder, when the Ranbir Kapoor led film was re-released, it started gathering audiences and by the time it was in its second and the third week, the word of mouth had spread that the AR Rahman musical is as fresh as ever. This was the first major success amongst re-releases and reintroduced the film to the new generation.

Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobaara

Around the same time as the arrival of Rockstar released Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobaara. This was yet another film that found good eyeballs amongst the audiences. Just like the way it happened on its original release, even the re-release saw elite warming up to the film and hence at key multiplexes in the major cities, it did well.

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge

This one is the hit favourite amongst exhibitors when it comes to re-releases. Though the Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer had arrived more than 25 years back, the film has stayed fresh as ever. In fact Yash Raj Films have always ensured that at least in the special occasions like 20 years or 25 years of the film, there is quite some noise made around the re-release. It has traditionally found houseful shows whenever there has been special screening marking the occasion.

Jab We Met

Just like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, another hot favourite amongst cinegoers is Jab We Met. A sweet film by Imtiaz Ali that showed an a,together new side of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor, it makes audiences smile and laugh whenever it arrives in theatres. Back in time it was an average box office success but in actuality it’s a blockbuster material, something that can always be seen when it finds its way back in theatres.

Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani

Though this one hasn’t seen multiple re-releases, it did decently when it returned occasionally. The thing with re-releases is that typically the ones that hadn’t done well in their original run find a renewed audience base for them. Yes, there has been a DDLJ but that’s an exception. Otherwise the norm is for the underrated films to do better, and since Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani isn’t from too far back and was a huge blockbuster anyways, many people have already watched it, as a result of which the re-release didn’t really have a long run.