R Madhavan, speaking about re-releases, believes that while the trend is likely to continue, it will not stay long.
Recently, re-releases such as Sanam Teri Kasam, Tumbbad, and Rockstar, among others, achieved enormous box office success, whilst fresh releases struggled to make an effect. In the midst of discussions about whether re-releases are impacting new film box office revenues, actor R Madhavan says it’s merely a fad that won’t last long.
The 54-year-old, whose 2001 film Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein was re-released in theaters in August 2024 after a 23-year hiatus, weighed in on the phenomenon: I believe a major reason behind this trend is nostalgia—audiences are eager to revisit the feeling of experiencing these movies on the big screen, particularly those they may have overlooked or underappreciated during their initial theatrical run, such as Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein and Tumbbad (2018).
“I believe re-releases will occur to some extent, but they will not be game changers,” he adds, adding that they will primarily serve as additional pocket money for the producers. “Nostalgia is exactly that: nostalgia. “It’s not a current investment,” Madhavan says.
Although he concedes that this pattern is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, he also cautions that ‘fresh releases could face an uphill battle.’ Madhavan elaborates, suggesting that ‘the sentimental pull of classic films often resonates more strongly with audiences than the latest titles hitting cinemas that same weekend.
He emphasizes the growing problem for filmmakers, stating, “Today, nobody cares how much publicity you’ve done with the film.” Nobody cares about what you did on the ground. People are more aware than ever, making it more difficult to simply tell them, ‘Come see our films in theaters.'” He goes on to say, These days, the competition extends beyond Instagram reels and social media content from friends or everyday creators—content that often feels more personal and engaging than a traditional film—we’re also contending with the resurgence of beloved classics tapping into audiences’ nostalgia. Gaining the trust and capturing the interest of modern audiences is more challenging than ever for filmmakers today.
Madhavan continued, Back in the day, when a big director’s picture came out in theaters, we’d go see it thinking, ‘yeh toh mahaan log hain, inki philosophy dekho’. People would enter theaters with reverence to see their movie. But today, everyone is on social media until the film starts.
“Ab woh respect karne ke liye, humein K-pop se better banna padega. Yeh issue ho gaya hai humare liye, humare bacche Korean mein baat karne lag gaya hai. “Our children are more aware of Korean stars than Indian actors,” he concludes.
