Cinema VinesAfter a protracted four‑year wait, the thriller Pooja Meri Jaan, featuring Mrunal Thakur and Huma Qureshi, is finally set to reach viewers on the streaming platform ZEE5. The film, directed by Navjot Gulati and produced by Maddock Films under Dinesh Vijan, had originally been slated for a direct‑to‑digital launch on JioCinema. However, the merger of JioCinema with Disney+ Hotstar stalled the release, leaving the project in limbo and causing frustration among the cast and crew.
While ZEE5 has confirmed that the movie will be added to its upcoming slate, the exact premiere date has not yet been announced. The platform is also unveiling a host of new Hindi titles, including Kambli, a biopic on former cricketer Vinod Kambli, The Scam: Leaked, Coffee King, and a revival of the classic Zee Horror Show. Popular series such as Rangbaaz, Janaawar, and Bakaiti are returning with fresh seasons.
In addition to Pooja Meri Jaan, ZEE5’s film lineup boasts titles like Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai starring Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde and Mouni Roy, Bandar with Bobby Deol and Sanya Malhotra, and Bharat Bhagya Vidhata featuring Kangana Ranaut. Other releases include Sarvgunn Sampann with Vaani Kapoor, Ghamasaan, Ikroop, and Dalimb.
Director Navjot Gulati has spoken publicly about the emotional toll of the delay. He revealed that his father, who passed away in 2024, spent his final months asking when the film would finally see the light of day. Gulati also alleged that co‑producer Amar Kaushik ceased responding to his calls and messages after October 2025. According to Gulati, the film was held back because Maddock Films refused to sell it below its expected valuation, a pricing dispute that he believes also prevented a theatrical release. He pointed to the film Vadh 2 as an example of an OTT‑backed project that later succeeded in cinemas.
Gulati said the delay has negatively impacted his career, as producers have become hesitant to collaborate with him after his completed debut film remained unreleased. He even expressed a willingness to buy back the project himself if the producers decided not to move forward. Pooja Meri Jaan tackles themes of stalking and cybercrime and also features Vikram Singh Chauhan and Vijay Raaz in pivotal roles. Production wrapped and post‑production was completed by the end of 2022, but the film’s release has been postponed until now. The long‑awaited premiere on ZEE5 marks the end of a frustrating four‑year wait for the makers and fans alike.
