Pooja Meri Jaan: Why Mrunal Thakur-Huma Qureshi Film Took Four Years To Release? The Full Story

After getting stuck for four crazy years, Pooja Meri Jaan has taken an unusually long route to the screen. The Mrunal Thakur and Huma Qureshi-starrer was announced four years ago in 2022. It completed production that same year and was originally intended as an OTT release.

Yet audiences are only now getting to see it. Navjot Gulati’s crime drama premieres on October 2, 2026, exclusively on Zee5.

What Is Pooja Meri Jaan About?

Pooja Meri Jaan is a Hindi crime drama directed by Navjot Gulati and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik under Maddock Films. The film stars Mrunal Thakur and Huma Qureshi in the lead roles.

Pooja Meri Jaan centres on Pooja Dogra (Mrunal Thakur), whose life takes a dark turn after Aniket (Vikram Singh Chauhan), a man who has been in love with her, dies by suicide.

After his death, the circumstances surrounding their relationship come under scrutiny, and Pooja finds herself accused of pushing him towards suicide. Pooja is accused of misleading him and exploiting his feelings, leaving her to defend herself against allegations.

The story then shifts into a legal battle, with Sana (Huma Qureshi), a lawyer and Pooja’s close friend, taking up her case. Sana must navigate her own connection to Aniket while trying to establish what actually happened between the two.

As the investigation unfolds, the film raises questions about rejection, consent, accountability and how quickly society can turn against a woman when a man’s unrequited love ends in tragedy.

Pooja Meri Jaan will release on October 2, 2026 (Image Credit: Instagram @zee5)

ALSO READ: Pooja Meri Jaan Trailer: Mrunal Thakur, Huma Qureshi’s Long-Shelved Movie Is A Shocking Story Of Love, Rejection And Justice

Why Was Pooja Meri Jaan Delayed For Four Years?

The four-year delay of Pooja Meri Jaan was not because the film was stuck in production. The film had completed shooting and post-production by 2022 and was originally commissioned as a direct-to-OTT project for JioCinema.

The release plan changed after JioCinema merged with Disney+ Hotstar, following which the makers were reportedly allowed to take the film to other streaming platforms. That effectively put Pooja Meri Jaan back into the market for a digital buyer.

The bigger roadblock, however, appears to have been OTT pricing. A May 2025 report by Mid-Day stated that producer Dinesh Vijan was holding out for what he considered an appropriate price for the film, while streaming platforms reportedly felt the asking price was too high.

There was another wrinkle: Mid-Day reported that the film's release, which had been expected in November 2024, was pushed back because Vijan wanted it to arrive after Chhaava. By 2025, the film was still waiting for a streaming deal, while Maddock's bigger theatrical projects were taking priority.

The most revealing account came from director Navjot Gulati himself. In an interview with Variety India in February 2026, Gulati questioned why the producers did not consider a theatrical release if an OTT deal could not be finalised.

Gulati was particularly vocal about the personal cost of the delay. He revealed that his father, who died in 2024, had repeatedly asked about the film's release during his final months.

By July 2026, the situation finally changed when ZEE5 announced Pooja Meri Jaan as part of its upcoming slate.

 

 

 

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ALSO READ: Mrunal Thakur Recalls Fighting With Producers To Get A Role; Says 'Found Out Someone Else To Play..'

Pooja Meri Jaan OTT Details

This is ultimately the strange story behind Pooja Meri Jaan. It isn't a new 2026 production. It is a 2022 film finally receiving public life in 2026.

FAQs

Q1. Is Pooja Meri Jaan releasing on October 2, 2026?

A1. Yes. Pooja Meri Jaan is officially scheduled to premiere on ZEE5 on October 2, 2026.

Q2. Where can I watch Pooja Meri Jaan?

A2. The film will stream exclusively on ZEE5 from October 2, 2026.