Director Rajiv Rai has provided key clarifications regarding the planned theatrical re-release of his 1994 blockbuster Mohra, starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Raveena Tandon. Speaking exclusively to Bollywood Hungama from Koh Samui, Thailand, the filmmaker dismissed reports of a major box office clash with the highly anticipated epic Ramayana over the festive Diwali period.
Confirming the re-release, Rai explained that Mohra is returning to theaters in a very limited, phased manner, primarily across single-screen cinemas nationwide over the next six months. He noted that a similar strategy is being applied to his recent release Zora, which returned to screens on October 23, with possibilities of his other classic titles following suit.
Addressing the venue selection, Rai revealed that these classic titles will not screen across major multiplex chains like PVR due to high ticket prices and steep Virtual Print Fee (VPF) charges. He acknowledged that while business for repeat-run films is generally modest, circulating them systematically across smaller centers can generate respectable cumulative totals over time, catering to audience members who still enjoy watching cult classics on the big screen.
Rai strongly clarified that there is no competition with Nitesh Tiwari’s magnum opus. “I’m not coming against Ramayana,” he stated, noting that since major upcoming releases vacated the Diwali window, an opportunity opened up in smaller centers. “Diwali is an auspicious date to start something. Anyway, Ramayana cannot book all the cinemas in the country,” he added.
Furthermore, the director revealed that Mohra might not even have a single-screen release in Mumbai, ruling out any direct clash with mainstream Diwali releases. Rai emphasized that the initiative is driven by a desire to offer nostalgic big-screen experiences to dedicated moviegoers in smaller territories rather than mounting a full-scale commercial campaign. Stay tuned to know more about it and others only with us and if you have anything to share do comment below and share your thoughts.
