- Classic Indian films see resurgence with re-releases in cinemas
- Audiences flock to watch beloved films on big screen, driven by nostalgia
- Re-releases bring hope to struggling film industry, but new content still in demand
India’s film industry is experiencing a resurgence with the re-release of classic films from the past two decades. Despite the rise of streaming services, audiences are flocking to cinemas to watch beloved films on the big screen once again.
For Zakia Rafiqi, 26, the re-release of Laila Majnu (2018) was a must-watch. “I have an emotional connect with the film,” she says. “It’s good to see a piece of home on the big screen.”
Laila Majnu, written by Imtiaz Ali, initially underperformed at the box office but is now seeing a new wave of success. It’s not alone; dozens of Indian films are getting a second chance at the box office, including rom-coms, action thrillers, and musicals.
Trade analyst Komal Nahta notes, “This year has been particularly bad for new releases.” However, the re-releases are making up for the lack of new films and lackluster box-office performances.
The success of these re-releases is driven by nostalgia and an audience’s love for films with cult followings. As Taran Adarsh, a Bollywood analyst, explains, “It’s driven purely by nostalgia or an audience’s love for a film that already has a cult following.”
The trend is not limited to Bollywood; southern Indian films are also seeing success with re-releases. Fans are flocking to cinemas to watch classic films starring superstars like Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, and Vijay.
The re-releases have little to no promotion, relying on word-of-mouth and social media buzz. As Sreedhar Pillai, an analyst tracking southern film industries, notes, “It has to be driven by nostalgia and have a connection with an actor who is a big star today.”
Audiences are willing to pay to watch older films that are easily available on streaming platforms because of the unique experience of watching a film in theaters. As Shruti Zende, a 30-year-old from Pune, explains, “Instead of watching the film for its storyline, it becomes a group experience where you’re watching with people who really like the movie.”
While re-releases are bringing hope to the beleaguered film industry, audiences still crave new content. As Zende notes, “I may watch one or two re-releases a year, but after that, I’d still want to watch a new film.”
