Mallesham director to foray into Hindi cinema with 8 AM Metro; release date out

Director-producer Raj Rachakonda, the brain behind the critically acclaimed Mallesham, who also bankrolled the Malayalam film Paka recently, is gearing up for his Hindi film debut. Titled 8 AM Metro, the film stars Gulshan Devaiah and Saiyami Kher and is the official adaptation of the popular Telugu novel Andamaina Jeevitham, written by Malladi Venkata Krishna Murthy.

Poet, lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar unveiled the poster of 8 AM Metro today at his Bandra residence. True to the title, the poster features the lead pair standing alongside one another in a metro.The makers state the film is a rollercoaster ride of emotions and will hit screens across the country on May 19. The film is distributed by Shiladitya Bora’s Platoon Distribution.

Also read: Mallesham premieres on television more than two years after its theatrical release 

Six poems written by Gulzar will be used for the film. At the film’s poster launch, the veteran remained hopeful of the film’s fortunes at the box office and said he felt a pinch at his heart the very first time he read the lovely script. The filmmaker shared that the terrific script instantly inspired him to contribute passionately to the film.

Raj shares the story revolves around two strangers who inadvertently bump into each other in the metro and strike up an unlikely friendship and discover themselves and each other in the process. He thanked Gulzar for the magnanimous gesture and mentioned that he would be eternally grateful to the legend for his timely gesture.

Saiyami is cast as a 29-year-old housewife Iravati whose life in Nanded takes a different turn when she needs to leave for Hyderabad to take care of her pregnant sister. Braving recurring panic attacks, she finds solace in the company of Preetam, a banker. However the latter guards a secret from her that could destroy their relationship.

Also read: Exclusive! Duranga actor Gulshan Devaiah: Acting is easy, being an actor is tough 

With music by Mark K. Robin and lyrics by Kausar Munir, the tracks in the film were rendered by Jubin Nautiyal, Jonita Gandhi, Javed Ali, Vishal Mishra,and the Nooran Sisters. Raj Rachakonda’s previous directorial Mallesham released in 2019 while Malayalam film Paka, selected for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), arrived directly on Sony LIV.