Mumbai, India | December 31, 2025
The box office dominance of Dhurandhar is now reshaping Bollywood’s release calendar. After Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar altered their film release plans, Aamir Khan has reportedly decided to postpone the theatrical release of his son Junaid Khan’s upcoming film Mere Raho.
The film, which also stars South Indian actress Sai Pallavi, was originally scheduled for a December 12 release. However, citing intense competition and the overwhelming performance of Dhurandhar, the makers have pushed the film to a safer window in 2026. The romantic drama is now expected to hit theaters in July 2026.
Mere Raho is produced under Aamir Khan’s production banner, and sources suggest the decision to delay was taken after carefully assessing the crowded December box office landscape.
Why the Film Was Postponed
According to industry sources, both the shoot and post-production of Mere Raho were completed well in advance, and promotional planning was already underway. However, Aamir Khan reportedly anticipated that a December release would severely limit the film’s visibility and screen allocation.
A source told Mid-Day, “December was packed with major releases. Dhurandhar was a massive title, and Aamir understood that early. There was also a big romantic comedy starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday scheduled for the same period. Avoiding a clash was a commercially wise decision.”
The source added that releasing the film amid such competition could have created challenges at both the distribution and exhibition levels.
Aamir Khan’s Strategic Call Pays Off
Trade analysts believe the postponement reflects Aamir Khan’s long-standing reputation for strategic release planning. The performance of several December releases, which struggled to sustain momentum against Dhurandhar, has further validated the decision.
Sai Pallavi’s Bollywood Debut
Mere Raho marks Junaid Khan’s second theatrical release after Loveyapa. The film is also set to be Sai Pallavi’s Bollywood debut. While she is also part of Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming epic Ramayana, that film is slated for a Diwali release in November, making Mere Raho her first Hindi film to reach theaters.
Not the First Delay
This is not the first time Mere Raho has seen a change in plans. The film was initially scheduled for a November 7 release before being pushed to December 12. It has also undergone a title change—earlier, the project was titled Ek Din.
With Bollywood’s biggest stars adjusting their strategies due to Dhurandhar’s unprecedented run, Mere Raho’s postponement highlights how one blockbuster can influence the entire industry’s release roadmap.
