Re-releasing older films in theatres has emerged as an interesting trend in Indian cinema. While nostalgia gives audiences an opportunity to revisit their favourite movies on the big screen, some films have managed to turn their theatrical comeback into significant box-office business.
Interestingly, the trend has also given certain films a second chance. Movies that received a modest response or struggled during their original theatrical run have sometimes returned years later to find a much larger audience.
From Sanam Teri Kasam and Tumbbad to Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, here are five films that attracted audiences after returning to cinemas.
Baahubali: The Epic
S. Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The Epic brought the world of the Baahubali franchise back to the big screen in a combined presentation.
Featuring Prabhas, Anushka Shetty, Rana Daggubati and Tamannaah Bhatia among its principal cast, the film arrived in theatres in 2025.
According to the reported figures cited by Live Hindustan, Baahubali: The Epic collected approximately ₹33.47 crore net in India, while its worldwide gross was reported at around ₹54 crore.
The Telugu version reportedly contributed significantly to the collection, while the Hindi market also delivered a notable response.
Sanam Teri Kasam
The story of Sanam Teri Kasam is particularly interesting because of the contrast between its original theatrical performance and its reception upon re-release.
Starring Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane, the romantic drama was originally released in February 2016. Despite subsequently building a following, the film did not emerge as a theatrical success during its initial run.
Almost nine years later, the movie returned to cinemas on February 7, 2025.
Its second theatrical innings produced a very different result. The re-release reportedly generated more than ₹41 crore, giving the film a box-office turnaround years after its original release.
Tumbbad
The fantasy-horror film Tumbbad also found a substantially bigger theatrical audience when it returned to cinemas.
Directed by Rahi Anil Barve and starring Sohum Shah, Tumbbad originally arrived in theatres in 2018. The movie gradually developed a strong following for its visual treatment, mythology-inspired narrative and distinctive approach to horror.
According to the figures cited in the report, the film had collected around ₹12 crore during its initial theatrical run. Following its re-release, however, it reportedly earned close to ₹40 crore.
The response demonstrated how audience perception of a film can evolve considerably after its original theatrical window.
Ghilli
Tamil cinema has also witnessed the growing popularity of theatrical re-releases.
Thalapathy Vijay and Trisha Krishnan-starrer Ghilli returned to cinemas on April 20, 2024, years after becoming one of Vijay’s best-known commercial entertainers.
The film subsequently returned to theatres again in February 2026.
According to the reported figures, Ghilli generated approximately ₹28 crore from its re-release, demonstrating the continuing theatrical appeal of the Vijay-starrer among fans.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Ayan Mukerji’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is another film that successfully attracted audiences during its return to theatres.
Originally released on May 31, 2013, the romantic coming-of-age drama starred Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, alongside Aditya Roy Kapur and Kalki Koechlin.
Over the years, the film has maintained a strong following, particularly among younger audiences, for its themes of friendship, relationships, travel and personal ambitions.
When the film returned to theatres, audiences once again turned up to experience it on the big screen. Its re-release reportedly generated approximately ₹26 crore.
Why Are Movie Re-Releases Finding an Audience?
The success of theatrical re-releases highlights an interesting shift in audience behaviour. Streaming platforms have made older films easily accessible at home, but certain movies continue to attract viewers when offered again as a big-screen experience.
Nostalgia is one factor, but it is not the only one. Younger viewers who missed these films during their original theatrical runs also get an opportunity to experience them in cinemas for the first time.
For movies such as Sanam Teri Kasam and Tumbbad, a re-release can also demonstrate how a film’s audience may grow significantly over time.
As Indian theatres continue experimenting with older titles alongside new releases, the success of these films suggests that a movie’s box-office journey does not necessarily end with its first theatrical run.
