Director Navjot Gulati has publicly voiced deep frustration over the prolonged delay in releasing his film Pooja Meri Jaan, accusing producers of mishandling distribution talks and leaving the project in limbo, and revealing the emotional toll it’s taken on him personally.

Gulati told Variety India that the thriller, starring Mrunal Thakur and Huma Qureshi, was completed in August 2022 but has yet to see the light of day. Originally slated for a direct-to-OTT release, the movie has been pushed back repeatedly, first from a 2024 release window to 2025, and now into February 2026, amid ongoing disagreements over pricing with potential streaming partners.

The director described how his late father, who passed away in 2024, spent his final months asking when the film would be released. “He kept asking me, ‘When will Pooja Meri Jaan come out?” Gulati shared, adding that he assured him it would happen soon, a promise that went unfulfilled. This poignant detail has made the delay especially painful for him, as his father never got to see what Gulati calls his “life’s best work.”

Communication Breakdown and Accountability Issues

A central source of Gulati’s ire is the breakdown in communication with the film’s co-producer, Amar Kaushik. According to the director, Kaushik has not responded to his calls or messages since October 2025, leaving him feeling ignored and compelled to air his grievances publicly. “I’m tired of calling and texting and yet not hearing back,” he said, stressing that his appeal stems from a perceived lack of accountability.

Gulati claimed that negotiations with one interested streaming platform have been dragging on for nine months, revolving around differences in price expectations. He argued that the producers, particularly Maddock Films, are holding out for a higher valuation, a stance he believes is stalling the film’s release. “They will never sell it unless they get the price they’re looking for,” he remarked, suggesting that this fixation on monetary returns is overshadowing the urgency to release the film.

Shift in Distribution Strategy and Industry Comparisons

Pooja Meri Jaan was initially set for release on JioCinema, but that plan was upended after the platform’s merger with Disney+ Hotstar. Gulati explained that the combined entity reportedly advised producers to explore other OTT partners, leading to protracted talks and further delays.

In an effort to illustrate alternative routes, the director pointed to the recent theatrical release of Vadh 2, a project that was also originally commissioned for OTT, questioning why similar strategies can’t be considered for his film. He believes that if the desired price isn’t forthcoming from streaming services, a theatrical release might be a viable path forward.

Concerns for the Film’s Future

Gulati also referenced other Maddock Films projects that remain unreleased, including Rumi Ki Sharafat starring Radhika Madan and Sarvgunn Sampanna featuring Vaani Kapoor, suggesting a broader issue with the studio shelving smaller films amid a focus on big commercial ventures.

Beyond the commercial stakes, there’s a professional cost: Gulati says the long delay has affected his career, with collaborators uncertain about his prospects because his debut work has yet to reach audiences. He has even floated the idea of buying back the film if the producers remain unwilling to move forward, underscoring his commitment to seeing the project released.

As of now, neither Maddock Films nor its key producers have issued a public response to Gulati’s statements, leaving Pooja Meri Jaan’s future uncertain but firmly in the spotlight.

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