There is almost three weeks to go till the release of DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE but the advances opened in overseas markets like US and UK. Although the main chain in US has not started, the results in UK pretty much tell what will happen on release. This is a market which is not known to take much advances especially this far away from release but the key properties that collect heavily for Hindi films are seeing extraordinary results. 

The UK saw business of £3 million plus for the first film and although this a huge collection, it was still under performing as compared to the other markets. So when UK is seeing such results which will shatter initial records in the circuit, its a given the others will do also. It remains to be seen what happens in Gulf. Again the film will NOT get banned as its normally reported and if it can get passed, it will go to the censors, otherwise not. The clash with TOXIC will hardly matter to DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE in overseas as the craze is huge and even the music of the film went to another level post release.

It will be slightly different in India as TOXIC will be taking away some of the screen space and that is expected to be in the tune of 25-30% which will mean that DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE will not be able to build the capacity that some of the bigger releases have managed. The craze is such that DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE is likely to see the highest occupancy rates on day one since BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION. The collection will depend on the capacity it can build and this capacity will be about how high ticket rates can be pushed, for which there will be plenty of potential. It will be interesting to see how far the distributors can push here. 

-------------------------------------------

TOXIC, the big film from the South featuring the KGF hero Yash has been postponed till June leaving the field clear for DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE to shatter every initial record in the book. This scenario always looked likely but when advances opened Overseas over the weekend, then you take it as a practical certainty that the film is coming.

The reason given for this late postponement is ongoing turmoil in the gulf region which will hit business in the area if it remains as it is though TOXIC is a Kannada film and they don't have a big market as some of the other films from other South regions. The Hindi version was likely to be a major contributor in Gulf. This could be part of the reason but it can also be the overseas advances as against DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE in other overseas circuits which put things into perspective with the makers.

There is no such problem for DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE as its unlikely to get a censor in Gulf.  So the war going on there will have little affect and the first film did a crazy $32 million without Gulf anyway. It leaves the door open now for DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE to completely dominate as there will be no holdover and no competition and it should now comfortably beat the opening day record of JAWAN (2023). DHURANDHAR released in December and opened to a good to decent response. But it will be carnage this time and then if it has the content of part one, the film can go anywhere.

TOXIC was not really competition for DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE as it would have done far better initially but the capacity would have been less which makes it tougher to get those crazy numbers which will be expected form DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE.

-------------------------------------------

The advances of DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE opened for paid previews with the launch of the trailer and this time its a much more front footed trailer with dialogues but even if it was not, it hardly mattered as there is huge anticipation for the film due to the appreciation of the first film released in December. The advances are only open for paid previews (18th march) as the distributors try to juice out the craze of the film and sell as much as possible at premium prices for the paid previews.

Basically the idea is to sell as much as inventory as possible at highest rates possible and then open the wider advance. This has been seen for some of the event films in Hollywood and DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE can get away with it also due to the craze as tickets will sell at these super high rates. In fact they are selling at a fast rate and it remains to be seen how much it can sell today. If the film can get 50k tickets sold today, that will be 2 crore nett plus up on the board already in chains.

The film is probably the most anticipated film seen in the last 10-15 years after BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION and if we take the biggest 20-25 centres, then here it could be even be a more bigger craze than the Prabhas starrer. It will be firworks on release but the question will be how far can that opening day go and will it record the highest collections across every circuit or not. If it manages to set new highs in the Eastern and Central circuits, then it could beat the opening record by a considerable margin.

-------------------------------------------

DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE continued its remarkable response to its advance as the national chains reached 1.38 lakh at the end of business on Sunday. The PVR/Inox chain is running riot like never seen before as it alone stood 1.13 lakh. The overall advance stands at around 9.50 crore nett and this is just for paid previews.

Despite these huge figures, the wider audience is still waiting for the advance to open on other days as despite a great a response at non nationals, they are at a lesser ratio they should be against the national chains. The craze for the film is all over and this is just the audience just waiting for other days as they feel that will be at lower rates.

This can be seen with Hyderabad leading the advances which is not normal for a Hindi film but here that super premium pricing is probably not allowed. So, its pretty much normal rates and there are no words to describe the advance here. A Hindi film has never seen anything like this in the city for decades. Eventually other places will catch up as the craze is everywhere. This is just the trailer and the fireworks will be when the advance plans open for Thursday and Friday.

The 20 crore nett plus paid previews look pretty much done and it can be that advances itself reach this mark though these will slow markedly when advance opens up for other days.

-------------------------------------------

DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE continued its remarkable response to its advance as the national chains reached 1.38 lakh at the end of business on Sunday. The PVR Inox chain is running riot like never seen before as it alone stood at 1.13 lakh. The overall advance stands at around 9.50 crore nett and this is just for paid previews.

-------------------------------------------

The advances of DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE continuing to go up and up and still the runaway train is being held back with only previews open for booking. The film has reached almost 14 crore nett just for paid previews with advances now being open for four days. The national chains have hit 2 lakhs tickets sold with a collection of around 9.25 crore nett.

The only film in 2025/26 to cross 2 lakh tickets at the national chains is CHHAAVA and that was for day one and here this figure is already there for paid previews and there is a week left till release. The all time record at these national chains is the 6 lakh of BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION and going by this response, this film would have had a chance to beat that figure if it had a full day release.

It looks a good possibility that it will beat the 6 lakh record including paid previews though to beat for the first day is a huge ask though you never count it out with a craze like this. The wait now is for the advance plans to open in full and exhibitors were expecting Tuesday/Wednesday opening. But they have not been given the go ahead as yet.

The advances for the paid previews are as follows. It has been four days since they opened and collection for each day is as follows.

Day One - 6,50,00,000 apprx

Day Two - 3,25,00,000 apprx

Day Three - 2,25,00,000 apprx

Day Four - 1,75,00,000 apprx

THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND did decent business on Monday as it collected 2 crore nett which is a drop of a little over 50% from Sunday and the norm is bigger drops on Monday. The fair value of day one is around 2.75 crore nett. So, its a 30% drop from there which is pretty good. The only thing the film was released on the scheduled ate. Hence, its still about waiting till the second weekend.

If this Monday of 2 crore nett came with a full weekend, then the film would probably be a certain success but now less people saw the film over the weekend which could have led a to a strong hold on Monday than had it been a normal weekend. The four day business of the film stands at 11 crore nett and it is a holiday for Holi on Tuesday. The collections should be strong from the afternoon and the holiday factor will remain in play post Holi in a few states.

The film is a sequel of THE KERALA STORY (2023) and its not been made at a bigger level or anything but the huge success of the first film has meant it got enough audience to the theatres. Going by Monday, the content of the film may not be strong but its also not been rejectet. So, some decent weekend figures in the second weekend will mean a success. The film could turn out to be a good filler till the Eid releases.

The collections of THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND are as follows.

Friday - 60,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 4,25,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 4,15,00,000 apprx

Monday - 2,00,00,000 apprx

The repeat run of TERE NAAM collected 10 lakhs nett on Monday which is a 50% drop from Friday. There should be a jump today for Holi and the week should be around 1.10-1.15 crore nett.

The collections of TERE NAAM (repeat run) are as follows.

Friday - 20,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 25,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 30,00,000 apprx

Monday - 10,00,000 apprx

--------------------------------------

THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND did well on Tuesday which was a holiday for Holi. The film collected 3.25 crore nett showing a healthy gains of 60% from the previous day and now stands at 14.25 crore nett. This is achieved despite limited business on the first day due to a late release. The next two days are important for the film and if it can go into Friday with decent holds its going to turn out a successful film.

There will be some Holi leftover which should help collections in states like UP and MP but a market like Maharashtra, where its doing best, will see a drop from Holi. Overall, despite missing the first day, the film is in a good position and if it got a full week it would have been a 20 crore nett week though it will have to settle for a bit less.

The collections of THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND are as follows. 

Friday - 60,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 4,25,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 4,15,00,000 apprx

Monday - 2,00,00,000 apprx

Tuesday - 3,25,00,000 apprx

The repeat run of TERE NAAM has collected 1 crore nett in five days.

The collections of TERE NAAM (repeat run) are as follows.

Friday - 20,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 25,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 30,00,000 apprx

Monday - 10,00,000 apprx

Tuesday - 15,00,000 apprx

--------------------------------------

THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND collected well again on Wednesday with collections of 2.75 crore nett taking its total to 17 crore nett in six days. The Holi factor is in play although it was not the official holiday for Holi. But sometimes it gets celebrated on different days in different states. The period generally lasts for 3 days. So, even today (Thursday), the film will do well, especially in the Hindi speaking belts.

The film is doing lesser business in an area like UP where Holi has a big impact on collections but looking at collections over the last two days, it could be that the big day for Holi is today in that state and this maybe replicated in other areas as well. This should mean another good day for the film at the box office. The film pretty much looks certain to emerge a success now.

The collections of THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND are as follows. 

Friday - 60,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 4,25,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 4,15,00,000 apprx

Monday - 2,00,00,000 apprx

Tuesday - 3,25,00,000 apprx

Wednesday - 2,75,00,000 apprx

The repeat run of TERE NAAM has collected 1.10 crore nett in six days.

The collections of TERE NAAM (repeat run) are as follows.

Friday - 20,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 25,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 30,00,000 apprx

Monday - 10,00,000 apprx

Tuesday - 15,00,000 apprx

Wednesday - 10,00,000 apprx

--------------------------------------

THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND has done decent business in its first week collecting 19 crore nett and this has come with the film missing out on the first day. So basically, its a six day first week with it losing the important first day. The holds are good over the weekdays but it is the Holi factor in play there as generally Holi plays out over a few days.

The film saw its best collections of the weekday period in places like UP and Bihar and on Thursday while a Maharashtra benefitted on Tuesday. Gujarat was best on Wednesday which has enabled the collections to look very steady through the week. The trend is overall decent though not as strong as the collections make it look. The collections on Thursday are pretty similar to Monday.

The costs of the film are pretty much similar to the likes of ASSI and TU YAA MAIN, released over the last few weeks, but it will be doing far more business due to it being a sequel to THE KERALA STORY and obviously the content being liked more than those films. The second weekend is the key and if it can do well enough then it will be the third success of 2026 after BORDER 2 and MARDAANI 3.

The collections of THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND are as follows. 

Friday - 60,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 4,25,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 4,15,00,000 apprx

Monday - 2,00,00,000 apprx

Tuesday - 3,25,00,000 apprx

Wednesday - 2,75,00,000 apprx

Thursday - 2,00,00,000 apprx

The repeat run of TERE NAAM has collected 1.20 crore nett in its first week.

The collections of TERE NAAM (repeat run) are as follows.

Friday - 20,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 25,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 30,00,000 apprx

Monday - 10,00,000 apprx

Tuesday - 15,00,000 apprx

Wednesday - 10,00,000 apprx

Thursday - 10,00,000 apprx

--------------------------------------

THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND has emerged a success as the film holds up well on its second Friday with a limited drop from the previous day. The film has collected 1.75 crore nett which takes the film to almost 21 crore nett and now just needs to consolidate on Saturday which will happen as the advances were good enough.

The film continues to do well on in Mumbai circuit with both Maharashtra and Gujarat putting up decent numbers. It is now certain to run well till the release of DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE and that should be enough for the film to reach around 35 crore nett which is good enough for this film. It will emerge an AVERAGE fare and its the third success of the year with BORDER 2 being a SUPER HIT and MARDAANI 3 and THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND being AVERAGE fares.

All the three films are sequels and the next one DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE is another sequel which pretty much shows where the box office is today. At some point, this sequel scenario will run out of steam but results at the present time are not showing this.

The collections of THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND are as follows. 

Friday - 60,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 4,25,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 4,15,00,000 apprx

Monday - 2,00,00,000 apprx

Tuesday - 3,25,00,000 apprx

Wednesday - 2,75,00,000 apprx

Thursday - 2,00,00,000 apprx

Friday - 1,75,00,000 apprx

--------------------------------------

THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND continues to do well as it heads for a second week in double digits which could be around 11.50-12 crore nett. The film has held well enough in week two and is likely to show a drop of around 40% which is a good result. The film will have crossed 30 crore nett in two weeks and then there will be another 4-5 days till DHURANDHAR: THE REVENGE. So, the film can end at around 35 crore nett. 

The film has turned out to be a good filler in this Ramadan period for theatres when business was almost dead. In Mumbai circuit, the film stands at 12 crore nett which is more than the all India collections of films like TU YAA MAIN, ASSI and DO DEEWANE SEHER MEIN, all of which have similar or higher costs. Overall, it will emerge an AVERAGE fare and its the third success of the year with BORDER 2 being a SUPER HIT and MARDAANI 3 and THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND being AVERAGE fares.

The collections of THE KERALA STORY 2: GOES BEYOND are as follows. 

Friday - 1,65,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 3,00,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 2,50,00,000 apprx

Monday - 1,25,00,000 apprx

Second Week - 8,40,00,000 apprx

O'ROMEO collected a poor 4.75 crore nett in its third week which takes the film to a total of 57 crore nett and its looking an end of around 60 crore nett for the film. This has come with the Buy One get One Offer being on almost every day over the first two weeks. There was also some feeding in the initial week which makes fair value figures less than what they will show.

This director combo has had films like KAMINEY and HAIDER, which saw modest results but with O'ROMEO, even that is not possible as it has gone badly wrong. The costs are just too high this time for the dry content and the business is nowhere enough to even cover. The best figures will come in Mumbai which will do 20 crore nett while Delhi/UP will do around 15 crore nett.

The film has actually under preformed in a circuit like Mysore considering the gentry content of the film. The Overseas is no better with the film looking at $2.4 million close. The US/Canada market will end up at around $1 million.

The numbers for O'ROMEO till date are as follows.

Friday - 7,50,00,000 apprx

Saturday - 11,00,00,000 apprx

Sunday - 8,25,00,000 apprx

Monday - 4,25,00,000 apprx

Tuesday - 4,25,00,000 apprx

Wednesday - 2,75,00,000 apprx

Thursday - 2,00,00,000 apprx

Veteran actor Mumtaz believes the passing of actor Feroz Khan in 2009 may have been a turning point in the relationship between her daughter Natasha Madhvani and son-in-law, actor Fardeen Khan. According to her, the emotional impact of losing his father might have led to misunderstandings between the couple.

Fardeen and Natasha are separated but not officially divorced. They parted ways in 2023 after 18 years of marriage. While Natasha currently lives in London with their children and Fardeen continues to stay in Mumbai, the two remain connected as co-parents.

Speaking in an interview on Sitaron Ka Safar, she said “When Feroz passed away... he (Fardeen) was very attached to his father... So I don’t really know what happened at that time. Natasha shifted to London for the children’s education. After that, I’m not sure what misunderstandings arose between them. But that’s when some problems began.”

She praised Fardeen for the way he continues to support his family. “He is a very sweet guy. Even today, he goes to London to see the children. Natasha was unwell, and he went ten times to check on her. I never expected that men these days would do so, but he looked after everything,” she added.

Days before the Delhi High Court granted actor Rajpal Yadav 30 days of interim bail in a ₹9 crore cheque bounce case, filmmaker Priyadarshan had said in an interview that the actor’s financial troubles stemmed from “poor education”. The director has now clarified that the remark was not meant as an insult, adding he was referring to a lack of awareness, not formal schooling.

“Actually, I didn’t mean that. Education is something we learn from the street and from books too. Now, I just meant that (street smartness), maybe because education is also awareness, ” the filmmaker tells us. His clarification comes after Rajpal, who was recently asked to surrender in the cheque bounce case and later released, called the comment “completely wrong”, adding, “Priyan ji doesn’t know me. I am a well-educated guy.”

Priyadarshan maintains that the remark was never intended to demean the actor. “I didn’t mean to insult him or anything. So I said that because I’ve never seen such an innocent person in my life like Rajpal… innocence comes out of lack of education in the broader sense,” he explains, adding that the actor’s village background may also shape that simplicity.

The director-actor duo first collaborated on the film Malamaal Weekly (2006) which marked 20 years on March 10. They are currently awaiting the release of the horror-comedy film Bhooth Bangla, also starring actor Akshay Kumar.

The 69-year-old expresses confidence that Rajpal will bounce back strongly. “After Bhooth Bangla releases, I believe Rajpal will spring back as one of the biggest stars of comedy… because he’s done a fantastic job for me in this film.”

He put India on the global map with his beautiful creations. But beyond the genius, he’s only human. He carries a heart that misses his near and dear ones, especially the actor who had the biggest influence on him. Designer Manish Malhotra reflects on his bond with late actor Sridevi, which continues through her daughter, actor Janhvi Kapoor. Excerpts from The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra:

Late photographer Rakesh Shrestha liked my sketches and introduced me to actors for styling them. I went to meet Sridevi for the first time at Mehboob Studio in 1991 and I was a big fan even before I met her. She was in a red outfit and was just going to the set. She was quiet. Then she called me to do a sweater, which was a continuity sweater for Khuda Gawaah (1992). I went to meet her, and somehow we connected.

Then, in 1996, we were in Las Vegas and she told me she was leaving films. She said she worked from the age of four and she wanted her life to carry on. I remember getting a little lump in my throat. I was so attached to her. And in the 15 years when she didn’t work and gave birth to Janhvi and Khushi, I was the one person who was always in touch with her. And I still called her ma’am. I continued my respect and friendship because I think she really contributed to my career. Her death was a big loss to the film industry.

I’m very fond of South Indian food and ma’am would get it to my house. That’s something that Janhvi sweetly does now, which is so nice of her. Every month, she makes it a point to come over, spend time, and get food from her house.

I was there at Rani Mukerji’s first shot for Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (1997), Kareena Kapoor Khan for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000; she was the original heroine), Deepika Padukone in Om Shanti Om (2007), Alia Bhatt for Student Of The Year (2012), and Ananya Panday for Student Of The Year 2 (2019). So, I would say I’m the lucky mascot here. I’ve seen them grow and evolve.

In fact, with Kriti Sanon, Bipasha Basu and Lara Dutta, I worked with them before they became actresses, as models. I’ve seen their journeys from being newcomers to being established actors, with some even getting married and becoming mothers! Now we are working with the newer generation.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s because the entire wedding was done by us. There were discussions about the décor, the surprises entry dance by Kiara, or the Reel that Sidharth did. And I forced them to put it up, saying, ‘Please put up this Reel!’ I am grateful to them for their love and respect. So happy! So I think that is one of my most cherished weddings.

A few days back, actor Akansha Ranjan Kapoor opened up on Instagram about her decision to freeze her eggs, calling it a “liberating and necessary step” taken purely for herself. “I did it for my peace of mind,” she wrote. In a chat with us, Akansha talks about the narrow window between being “too young to be married and suddenly too old to have kids,” describing it as a three- to four-year span that often feels rushed for women today.

“My generation is slower with family planning compared to earlier ones. Freezing my eggs gave me assurance, a back-up plan, allowing me to continue life freely while having a plan for motherhood,” says the 32-year-old.

A simple test prompted her decision. “I had my AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) test and saw my levels were low. I was producing fewer eggs. That made me take this step without thinking twice,” she shares, urging women to consult doctors and plan ahead.

The procedure required a two-week break from work and was physically demanding: “For an actor, it’s difficult to pause everything, but I had to. My support system — my mom, sister (actor Anushka Ranjan), and friends — were with me throughout.”

The actor, known for projects including, Guilty (2020) and Monica, O My Darling (2022), also addressed industry perceptions around motherhood, noting how “top actresses continue to thrive post-motherhood”, yet admitting she was “hurt by comments suggesting a career always declines after having children”.

Akshay Kumar may be currently promoting his upcoming release, ‘Bhooth Bangla’, but he will soon trade fear for festivities. mid-day has learnt that in the last week of March, the superstar will squeeze in the shoot of a Holi song for his yet-untitled film with director Anees Bazmee.

Ganesh Acharya will choreograph the number that will be shot in a Mumbai studio where a set depicting a bustling mohalla will be created. Kumar will be joined by leading lady Vidya Balan in the song.

An insider shared, “It’s a full-blown Holi sequence, the kind that brings together a lot of colour, dancers, and celebratory energy. The plan is to have around 300-400 background dancers on set, as Akshay and Vidya’s characters lead the celebrations in the gully. The mohalla-style set also includes balconies and terraces from where revellers will join the celebration. Ganesh has also designed a hook step that he hopes will catch on.”

In the last few years, the actor in Saurabh Shukla had taken a backseat as he helmed his Pankaj Kapur and Dimple Kapadia-starrer Jab Khuli Kitaab, and then worked towards its release. Slowly but surely, acting called out to him.

Shukla, who shot Subedaar earlier, is now gearing up to resume the shoot of Shah Rukh Khan’s King, which also features the superstar’s daughter Suhana Khan. “I shot for it [last year], and I will shoot the remaining portions [soon],” he says.

Taking a break from acting to shape his directorial venture meant letting go of the financial security that acting projects offer. But Shukla believes the pay-off is richer. He shares, “From an actor’s perspective, [taking a break] is difficult, it’s also stupid at times. But when I was living it, it was easy. Physically, I cannot be present at two places.”

Last week, he had two releases — while Anil Kapoor’s Subedaar dropped on Prime Video, Jab Khuli Kitaab began streaming on Zee5 — each showing a different facet of his art. Acting, directing, and writing can be too much to handle, but Shukla has too many dreams to fulfil in this lifetime.

“I’m a firm believer that there is only one life. So, I have no plans of saying, ‘I will act in this life, and direct in the next,’” he smiles, adding that writing hones one’s acting. “I always say, ‘If you want to be an actor, please write. Look at paintings, sing, pursue music because it gives you a sense of rhythm. Everything is interrelated.”

Actor Gulshan Devaiah is overwhelmed with gratitude as his 2023 film 8 AM Metro is winning love following its digital release on Amazon Prime Video. Despite a modest theatrical run at the time of its cinema release, the film has discovered a renewed wave of love only now on OTT.

Starring Gulshan Devaiah alongside Saiyami Kher and written and directed by debutant filmmaker Raj Rachakonda, 8A.M. Metro is a warm, intimate movie. Over the past few weeks, the actor has been inundated with messages from fans who say the film resonated with them long after the credits rolled.

Reacting to the outpouring of affection, he said, “The love that 8 AM Metro is receiving now feels like a never-ending gift. When the film first released in cinemas in 2023, it had a very limited run - no massive promotions, no big marketing campaign, and not a wide release. It didn’t make noise at the box office, but somewhere deep down, we knew we had made something honest. Today, seeing audiences discover it on OTT and connect with it so personally is incredibly moving for me.”

Reflecting on the film’s delayed discovery, the actor also spoke about the larger structural challenge such films face. “The reality is that there isn’t really a proper ecosystem for smaller, personal films like 8 AM Metro.”

Calling it the most emotionally vulnerable role of his career, Gulshan said, “8 AM Metroo is probably the most emotional performance I’ve given. It’s not your typical love story - in fact, it’s a love story that was perhaps never meant to find its ‘perfect’ fate. And that’s what makes it so real. Not every connection is meant to culminate in fireworks. Some are meant to exist quietly, beautifully, and then pass. Of course, one wishes that more people had discovered the film when it first released. But perhaps this is just the life cycle of certain stories. Some films take time to find their people. In a world filled with chaos, aggression, and constant noise, we need films like this. We need stories that allow us to sit with longing, vulnerability, and incompleteness. 8 AM Metro reminds us that it’s okay to feel deeply. That there is beauty in melancholy. And I think that purity is what’s finally connecting with people.”