What was once announced as a promising OTT thriller has now turned into one of Bollywood’s most talked-about unreleased projects. Nearly four years after wrapping production, Pooja Meri Jaan — starring Mrunal Thakur and Huma Qureshi — still hasn’t seen the light of day, and director Navjot Gulati has finally spoken openly about the frustration behind the scenes.
In a candid interview, Gulati revealed that stalled negotiations and pricing disagreements have kept the film locked away, despite being complete and ready for release.
🎬 The Film That Finished Shooting — But Never Released
Back in 2022, Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films announced Pooja Meri Jaan as a thriller that quickly caught attention thanks to its cast and intriguing premise. The shoot reportedly wrapped smoothly, with post-production also completed the same year.
Originally, the plan was simple — a direct OTT release. The film was lined up for JioCinema, but things reportedly changed after the streaming landscape shifted following the merger involving JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, which later led to the new JioHotstar setup.
According to Gulati, that merger disrupted the film’s release pathway, forcing the makers to pitch the project to other platforms — and that’s where the delays began.
⚠️ Navjot Gulati’s Frustration Comes Out In The Open
The director didn’t hold back while explaining the situation. He claimed that while at least one OTT platform has shown interest, negotiations over pricing have dragged on for months, keeping the movie in limbo.
He also alleged that the production house is currently more focused on bigger commercial projects and less interested in pushing smaller films forward — something he believes is hurting projects like Pooja Meri Jaan.
In an emotional revelation, Gulati said his late father had been waiting to see the film release before passing away in 2024, adding a deeply personal layer to his disappointment.
The filmmaker further claimed that co-producer Amar Kaushik has not responded to his calls or messages for some time, which pushed him to speak publicly about the issue.
🎥 Why Not A Theatrical Release?
One of the biggest questions Gulati raised is why the film hasn’t been considered for a theatrical release if OTT deals aren’t materialising. He pointed out that other projects initially designed for streaming have eventually found a path to cinemas — suggesting that an alternative strategy could work here too.
Industry insiders have often discussed how OTT valuation changes post-pandemic have affected mid-budget films, with producers waiting for better deals rather than settling quickly — a trend that has quietly delayed multiple projects.
🏢 Maddock Films: Big Success, Bigger Priorities?
Maddock Films, founded by Dinesh Vijan, has built a strong reputation over the years with hits like Love Aaj Kal, Cocktail, and Badlapur. More recently, the banner’s horror-comedy universe — including Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya — has become a major commercial focus, helping the studio dominate the box office space.
But as Gulati’s comments suggest, smaller films within the banner may be struggling to find the same urgency and attention.
🌟 About Pooja Meri Jaan
The thriller stars Mrunal Thakur and Huma Qureshi in key roles and was designed as a suspense-driven narrative — a genre that typically works well on streaming platforms. The film has remained complete since 2022, making its prolonged delay even more unusual in today’s fast-moving OTT era.
⭐ Final Words
Right now, Pooja Meri Jaan feels like one of those films everyone talks about but nobody gets to watch — and that’s exactly what worries its director. As streaming platforms change strategies and production houses chase bigger spectacles, smaller thrillers sometimes get pushed aside.
Whether the film eventually lands on OTT or finds an unexpected theatrical route, one thing is clear: the conversation around it has grown louder than ever — and fans are now waiting to see if this long-delayed project finally gets its moment.
