Mohit Suri opens up on Awarapan’s box office failure and fan calls for re-release

In the age of film re-releases, fans of Emraan Hashmi are rallying on social media to demand a theatrical re-release of ‘Awarapan’ (2007). Directed by Mohit Suri and starring Emraan Hashmi and Shriya Saran, the film failed to make a mark at the box office upon release, despite gaining a cult following over the years -especially for its music, which continues to resonate with fans.

In an exclusive conversation with India Today, director Mohit Suri reflected on the possibility of re-releasing ‘Awarapan’ and the emotions tied to its initial reception.

“It didn’t do well when it released, and I was really upset because I genuinely felt the film was good. So I felt like maybe my perspective was off,” Suri recalled. “I remember my friend Tanuj Garg, a distributor at the time, calling me and saying the film had too much violence. But he and many others still love the music and songs of ‘Awarapan’.”

Suri also shared a personal anecdote involving filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. “At that time, when the film didn’t do well, Mr Bhatt called me over. He poured me a drink and told me how when he did ‘Saransh’ it was an average hit and didn’t make money either. He said, ‘Son, I’m telling you that you know your job. And, this film will never go away.’”

He added, “The fact that they are making a sequel of a film today which at that time didn’t do well at the box office, I don’t know too many film directors who’ve had that opportunity.”

Mohit Suri is currently gearing up for the release of ‘Saiyaara’, which marks the debut of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. The film hits theatres on July 18.