Showing posts with label Pooja Meri Jaan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pooja Meri Jaan. Show all posts
Don’t want negative feedback from people who don’t have a display picture-Mrunal Thakur
9:57 AM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 14, 2026)
With several of her films this year not making the desired impact at the box office, Mrunal Thakur believes a film’s success cannot be measured by its theatrical run alone. The actor, whose latest outing Pooja Meri Jaan is receiving appreciation on OTT, says, “I feel medium doesn’t matter today. What matters is the story, subject, characters, and the director’s point of view to reach out to the audience.”
Citing Laapataa Ladies as an example, Mrunal points to how a film can find renewed appreciation after its digital release.
“When it came out in theatres, people didn’t appreciate. But the moment it was out on OTT, everyone was like, oh my god, wow. Why did we miss this movie?” she says. “There are certain films which don’t make the box office collection. But it does make a lot of noise on social networking sites when it is on platform,” she adds.
She has witnessed a similar response to Dacoit, with fans telling her they regretted not watching it in theatres. “A lot of audience have apologized. Fans of mine have apologized for not watching it on big screen,” she shares.
Acknowledging the role of marketing and changing audience choices, she says, “It is also the choices of the audience now. Because it is also how you market a movie. Everything has become a little different. I am kind of learning and I am in a learning phase.”
Asked if negative feedback bothers her, the actor says, “I have always been that person who takes feedback, but I also don’t want to take the negative feedback from people who do not have a display picture of their own. As simple as that.”
Meanwhile, Pooja Meri Jaan has brought her a different kind of validation. Mrunal reveals that viewers have sent handwritten letters to her home about how the film’s portrayal of one-sided relationships resonated with them.
“They wrote pages and pages of letters, expressing how it resonated with them in more than one way,” she says. She is particularly struck by how the film has connected with men as well as women. “It’s just crazy that how a film like this can reach so many not just girls but men,” she adds.
Mrunal also finds her work reaching audiences beyond India. During a visit to Paris, she met someone who had watched Love Sonia She recalls a viewer from the Philippines watching Made In Heaven and an American friend discovering Sita Ramam through Indian friends. “I am just happy to be entering into the industry in a time where my work is appreciated not just in India,” she says.
I’ve had guys message me saying the character was justified in his actions-Vikram Singh Chauhan
10:11 AM
S Farah Rizvi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 12, 2026)
Actor Vikram Singh Chauhan is on cloud nine following the response to his much-delayed OTT release, Pooja Meri Jaan. “All’s well that ends well; surely it took time to release as we had to wait for couple of years, but it’s okay, I feel,” he says.
Reflecting on the audience's response to his role as a stalker, Chauhan adds, “I am really, really happy that it's been taken so positively. When you play a character who is partly positive, partly negative, you wonder how it will land. I was mostly just excited to see how people would react.”
He notes that the ambiguity of his character was a hit with viewers: “So many people came up to me saying they were genuinely confused at first about whether to sympathize with Aniket. In the middle, they were thinking, ‘Yeh banda kitna creep hai.’ There were moments where they sympathized with him, hated him, and even loved him at some points.”
When asked if he had any initial hesitations about playing a character who dies early in the script, he admits, “The first thought that crossed my mind when I got the role was 'Why am I dying?' Especially as a young actor, you hesitate. But when I met the team and got the complete brief, I realized Aniket wasn't just a regular, one-note stalker. I was scared even until the time of the premiere wondering how much of my role would be left I told my friends not to expect much (laughs), but sab scenes thhe.”
The film delves into the uncomfortable nuances of stalking and male conditioning. Vikram explains, “The topic is so relevant today. Cinema has often ended up celebrating toxicity, but there are rare films that actually expose it. It starts a much-needed conversation. By the end, viewers realized how deeply ingrained his poor conditioning was.”
The response has also brought some eye-opening interactions according to the actor, "Surprisingly, I’ve had guys message me saying the character was justified in his actions, which shows how normalized this mindset still is. On the flip side, several close female friends opened up to me after watching the film, sharing their own horrifying experiences of being stalked for years by a few educated, influential men."
Recalling his experience with the ensemble cast, Vikram praises his co-stars. “Everyone was good. Vijay Raaz sir operates with such ease, he seamlessly switches into character. It’s incredible to watch.”
On his bond with Mrunal Thakur, he shares, “Mrunal was the one who broke the ice. Since we were staying at the same hotel, she’d invite me over to rehearse lines. We worked out together, played squash, and did script readings. That comfort level naturally translated into our on-screen chemistry.”
The actor was last seen starring as the antagonist opposite Ajay Devgn in Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness.
I usually don’t check my DMs, but messages, love I am receiving is beyond everything-Mrunal Thakur
9:46 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 10, 2026)
In every actor’s filmography, there are certain stories that feel worth the wait, even if it’s years-long. For Mrunal Thakur, Pooja Meri Jaan is one such film. It may have taken four years for the social thriller to see the light of day, but now, it’s bringing her love.
“I usually don’t check my DMs, but the messages and love that I am receiving is beyond everything. They say when the time is right, things [fall in place],” she told mid-day.
Navjot Gulati’s directorial venture sees Thakur play the titular character, who is accused of driving her friend to suicide as she rejected his romantic advances. The actor’s decision to front the Hindi Zee 5 movie, which also stars Huma Qureshi and Vikram Singh Chauhan, was led by a simple motivation — shed light on the male entitlement and toxic behaviour that sometimes come with unrequited love.
“It’s [all] around us. Films show male friends telling the hero, ‘Tu aur try kar, woh maan jayegi’, or that a woman’s no means yes. Haven’t we heard ‘Uski naa mein bhi haan hai’? You can’t get anyone’s love without their consent. That’s why it was important for me to do the film,” she shared, adding that rejection is a bitter pill to swallow for some men.
“When their love isn’t reciprocated, some men assassinate the woman’s character. Many lie about being intimate with the woman, [seeing it] as a flex.”
Pooja Meri Jaan also hits close to home for Thakur, whose best friends had developed feelings for her. “When I said no to both, they started calling me names. When I confronted them years later, they said, ‘We had no idea we bullied you’,” she recalled.
(Crisp) Movie Review: POOJA MERI JAAN by FENIL SETA
8:45 AM
Pooja Meri Jaan, which has released today on Zee5, is the story of a woman accused of abetment of suicide after a man ends his life when she refuses his proposal. The film tackles a very topical subject and moves at a fine pace. It is just 117 minutes long and doesn’t bore you even for a moment. The goings-on take an unexpected turn in the second half, which adds to the appeal. However, a big issue with the film is that several developments happen rather conveniently, from the lawyer taking up the case to witnesses saying shocking things in court with little provocation. These scenes are difficult to digest. Mrunal Thakur gets into the skin of her character and especially delivers in the emotionally charged scenes. Huma Qureshi’s characterization could have been better, but her performance is first-rate. Vikram Singh Chauhan (Aniket) shines in a challenging role. Vijay Raaz’s character is said to be ruthless, but it doesn’t come through consistently. Thankfully, he makes up for it with his performance. Manuj Sharma (Mukesh) and Sunita Rajwar (Sushila Chauhan, the cop) do well. All in all, Pooja Meri Jaan is an interesting and relevant courtroom drama.
My rating - *** out of 5!
My rating - *** out of 5!
Dinesh Vijan holds back release of three completed films over OTT pricing
10:47 AM
With Pooja Meri Jaan and Rumi Ki Sharafat stuck in the cans for over a year, sources say producer Dinesh Vijan waiting it out until he cracks a profitable OTT deal
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; May 12, 2025)
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.
Last year, mid-day had reported that Pooja Meri Jaan’s release was pushed from November 2024 as Vijan wanted it to premiere 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.
Dinesh Vijan moves Pooja Meri Jaan to 2025
8:03 AM
Sources say makers of Pooja Meri Jaan have pushed its release from Nov to next year to focus on Vicky-led Sambhaji biopic, Chhaava
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 14, 2024)
One tackles the subject of stalking and the other is a historical drama about a celebrated king. With both bringing important stories to the screen, releasing one on the back of another makes little sense. That seems to be the belief of producer Dinesh Vijan too, who has Pooja Meri Jaan and Chhaava in the pipeline. Which is why he has apparently had a change of plans. Sources tell us that Pooja Meri Jaan, starring Huma Qureshi and Mrunal Thakur, was initially being considered for a November release, but has now been pushed to early 2025.
“It is a special film for Dinesh because it belongs to a genre that his production house hasn’t explored so far. He was looking for the right time to bring the film to cinemas, and has finally slotted it for early 2025,” says a source.
Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, which is a biopic of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, isn’t the only reason why Navjot Gulati’s directorial venture was pushed. The insider says that the makers felt the last quarter of 2024 was packed.
“November has two big Diwali releases, Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. On the first Friday of December, Vicky will bring Chhaava to the big screen. The team wants to do justice to the ambitious biopic, in terms of promotions and buzz. With Varun Dhawan’s Baby John coming on Christmas, Pooja Meri Jaan’s team felt it deserved breathing space. They didn’t want such an important message to be lost in the flurry of big-ticket, mainstream releases. Pushing it to next year felt right.”
There are days when I’m craving a sound sleep in my own bed-Mrunal Thakur
2:58 PM
Mrunal Thakur feels regular breaks are essential to upskill as an artiste and make ‘thoughtful choices’
Mimansa Shekhar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 29, 2024)
Mrunal Thakur has had a busy few months. With six releases in 2023 alone, the actor acknowledges the importance of taking timely breaks from work. She tells us, “I have been working non-stop over the past two years. There are days when I’m craving a sound sleep in my own bed!”
This is perhaps why the Jersey (2022) actor recently took time off and visited a lake town near Mumbai with her family. “A vacation is definitely a luxury at the moment. But, it is important to take small breaks and for me, family precedes all. I cannot put a value on the time I spend with them,” says the 31-year-old, who believes “slowing down should be a key part of an actor’s life”.
She elaborates, “Taking a step back from the relentless pace of the industry gives me the opportunity to work on my skills, make thoughtful choices and deliver more nuanced performances. Otherwise, in a rush, you could make incorrect decisions. Slowing down allows me time for introspection.”
However, this does not have to be at the cost of work — and Thakur is a prime example of that. In the last year alone, she was seen in projects such as Gumraah, Lust Stories 2, Aankh Micholi, Pippa and Hi Nanna. Looking back, she shares, “I got to do one unique genre after another. It was a year of extreme challenges.”
When it comes to experimenting and challenging herself, Thakur says she has only just begun. For instance, her next project, Pooja Meri Jaan, reportedly touches upon the issue of stalking. “It’s a unique experience for me. I consider it an important subject that the audiences may resonate with,” says the actor, who has worked across genres, languages and mediums over the past decade.
Having made a switch from television to now films and OTT, Thakur is of the opinion that content, and not the medium, should drive one’s decisions. She adds, “There’s no difference in the portrayal of a character [ across mediums]. They are just ways to reach a wider audience.”
I have seen and been bothered by stalking ever since my growing up years-Mrunal Thakur
8:34 AM
Mrunal, who plays the titular role in Pooja Meri Jaan, says film shows how stalking constitutes harassment
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 18, 2023)
Playing a titular role is a responsibility that Mrunal Thakur takes seriously. The actor says that though she got multiple offers of titular parts after her debut Hindi film Love Sonia (2018), she didn’t consider them until Pooja Meri Jaan came her way. Navjot Gulati’s directorial venture addresses the issue of stalking.
“After Love Sonia, I waited for a film that I could shoulder. Everyone told me that I have to do [a titular role]. But I didn’t until Pooja Meri Jaan came along. The film is important to me. It explores the subject of stalking that I have seen and been bothered by ever since my growing-up years,” says Thakur.
With the upcoming film, also starring Huma Qureshi, Thakur hopes to open a dialogue about how stalking constitutes harassment. While there is much debate about the impact of cinema, following the polarising reactions to Animal, she believes that movies must go beyond entertainment.
“It is equally important to educate the audience. There are films like Love Sonia and Super 30 [2019] where we are attempting to educate the audience on certain subjects. Entertainment is great, but what we learn from movies is equally important.”
Be it Sonakshi Sinha, Mrunal Thakur or I, we stand here to service the story and tell it right-Huma Qureshi
8:11 AM
Doing two-heroine projects in Pooja Meri Jaan and Double XL, Huma says she is a secure artiste who doesn’t want to be limited by industry’s trappings
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 3, 2022)
It has been a busy week for Huma Qureshi. While she began the promotional run for the second season of Maharani, her next Pooja Meri Jaan was also announced. With its teaser that shows the threatening side of a romantic proposal, the makers have built much intrigue around the Navjot Gulati-directed movie. “It is a relevant conversation, which [piqued] my interest in the film,” begins Qureshi, who is joined by Mrunal Thakur and Vijay Raaz in the Dinesh Vijan production.
“I have worked with Dinoo on Badlapur [2015] before. This film is also produced by Amar Kaushik who is one of the best directors we have in the country today. When he told me he is creatively producing the film, I was kicked about it. Navjot’s script is so hard-hitting, highlighting an important conversation we need to have.”
It is equally relevant to discuss how Qureshi, while headlining solo outings like Maharani and the Tarla Dalal biopic, is unafraid to give her nod to two-heroine projects. If Pooja Meri Jaan sees her share the frame with Thakur, Double XL has her teaming up with Sonakshi Sinha.
Happy to front stories told from women’s perspective, she says, “I am operating from a place where content matters the most. I am a secure actor who is assured of her space. If I like the film and the intentions of those making it, [I will go ahead]. Be it Sonakshi, Mrunal or I, we stand here to service the story and tell it right. As artistes, we should not let ourselves get limited too easily and too soon.”
From her performances to her choice of projects, it is evident that Qureshi has matured as an artiste. The new line of thinking, she says, comes from director Deepa Mehta, with whom she collaborated on Leila. “She has empowered me as a performer. I talk to her every week. She is my mentor in a way. She is the first director who shot me in a way where the camera was [focused] on my eyeball. I was petrified, but she gave me the confidence that I can shoulder a project.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)