Hansal Mehta's Landmark October: From Lost Classics to Acclaimed Hits

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta has had a remarkable October, with several of his most significant projects being released or premiered during this month over the past 25 years. In October 2000, Mehta's debut film "Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar" hit theaters, marking the beginning of his career as a theatrical filmmaker. 13 years later, in October 2013, his acclaimed film "Shahid" arrived in cinemas, reviving Mehta's career. Most recently, in October 2020, the highly praised web series "Scam 1992" premiered on Sony LIV, further cementing Mehta's reputation as one of India's most talented storytellers.

However, the 25th anniversary of "Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar" is bittersweet for Mehta, as the film's negatives have been destroyed, leaving no record of the project. Mehta's second film, "Chhal" (2002), faced a similar challenge, but he has been able to retrieve the negatives with the help of the Film Heritage Foundation. The director is hopeful of organizing a "Hansal Mehta Film Festival" to showcase his memorable works, though "Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar" will be notably absent.

Despite the loss of his debut film, Mehta remains optimistic about his creative collaborations, particularly with actor Rajkummar Rao, with whom he has delivered several acclaimed projects. The duo is currently searching for the right subject to reunite on the big screen, eager to recapture the magic of their previous successful ventures.