Hema Malini’s ‘Shimla Mirch’ to release directly on Netflix

Hema Malini and Rajkummar Rao’s next ‘Shimla Mirch’, which was due to hit cinemas this week, will now release directly on Netflix.

According to IWM Buzz, Viacom18 Motion Pictures took the decision to release the Ramesh Sippy film, which has been awaiting a release since 2014.

A source told IWM Buzz, “Viacom18 has taken the decision (to release Shimla Mirch on the digital platform) on their own. Rameshji had no say in the matter. He made the film in 2014 at a meagre budget of 16-17 crores. It was mean to be a small sweet romantic film set in Shimla. Rameshji handed over the film to the producers in 2015. Just why they sat on it for 4 years and why they’ve decided to not give it a theatrical release is not explained. It isn’t as if smalltown romances don’t work in theatres. Viacom themselves have released several such films. Recent films like Lukka Chuppi and Pati Patni Aur Woh have done well. Then why this stepmotherly treatment to Shimla Mirch?”

Sippy said, “I am very proud of Shimla Mirch, and I’m glad it’s finally being released. The platform and format of release is the producers’ decision.”