After an impressive run at various film festivals, Saali Mahbat — the much-awaited ZEE5 Original — directed by Tisca Chopra and starring Radhika Apte, Divyendu Sharma, Anurag Kashyap, Anshuman Pushkar, Souraseni Maitra and Sharat Saxen — is set to premiere exclusively on ZEE5 later this year.
Tisca Chopra’s directorial debut Saali Mohabbat starring Radhika Apte, Divyendu Sharma, Anurag Kashyap will be aired on ZEE5
Produced by Jio Studios and Manish Malhotra’s Stage5 Production, the thriller-drama marks the celebrated designer’s digital debut as a producer, seamlessly blending his signature visual sophistication with deeply emotional storytelling. This also marks ZEE5’s fourth collaboration with Jio Studios after its success Hisaab Barabar and mrs., starring R. Madhavan and Sanya Malhotra respectively, and recent Bhagwat featuring Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar. The film also sees Radhika Apte returning to the stage after her beloved performance in Mrs. Undercover.
After premiering at IFFI last year and the Chicago South Asian Film Festival this year, Saali Mahbat invites viewers into a world where love turns into obsession and hidden secrets are slowly revealed. The film tells the story of Smitha (Radika Apte), a small-town housewife whose seemingly ordinary life descends into a maze of infidelity, deception and moral ambiguity. What begins as a story of domestic routine soon unfolds into a gripping exploration of betrayal, revenge, and the thin, treacherous line between truth and illusion.
Speaking about the film, Kaveri Das, Business Head Hindi ZEE5 said, “At ZEE5, we are constantly striving to deliver stories that challenge convention and connect with audiences on a deeper level. Saali MahbatWe are very pleased to present to you a thriller that is not only about tension, but also about the complex emotions that drive a person’s choices. Partnering with Jio Studios again and working with creative forces like Manish Malhotra and Tiska Chopra has been incredibly rewarding. And of course, having Radhika Apte back on the platform in a role that showcases her depth and range makes this project even more special.”
Producer Jyoti Deshpande, President, Jio Studios (Media and Content Business, RIL), said, “At Jio Studios, we are constantly committed to supporting bold voices and powerful stories that transcend genres. Saali Mahbat is a shining example of this vision – a brilliantly crafted thriller that celebrates our proud collaboration with producer Manish Malhotra, who seamlessly extends his creative brilliance from fashion to cinema. After its successful reception at IFFI, we are very excited about it Saali Mahbat found a home on ZEE5, where our stories consistently find a wide and appreciative audience. We look forward to seeing audiences around the world witness Tiska Chopra’s exciting directorial debut.”
Producer Manish Malhotra said, “Stage5 Production was founded with the express intention of creating stories that are original in thought and strong in craft. In the same spirit, I am delighted to announce our second film, Saali Mahbat is a multi-layered, character-driven drama that examines power, silence, and the invisible cost of human choice. This project was created with deep involvement at every stage—from development to final version—because at Stage5 we don’t just make films, we support them. Every creative and strategic decision was made purposefully, strictly and responsibly. We were honored to work with an ensemble of exceptionally talented actors, each of whom brings a special rhythm, restraint, and truth to their characters—the kind of performances that don’t speak loudly, but linger. Jyoti Deshpande and Jio Studios have fueled the film with clarity and a long-term vision from day one — and at the heart of that vision is Tiska Chopra, whose script and direction bring structure, nuance and a confident creative voice to the story. We are also proud to partner with ZEE5, a platform that has consistently championed bold, content-driven cinema. Their support ensures that the film reaches audiences across regions, languages and cultures – exactly the journey this story deserves. Saali Mohabbat is the result of shared intentions, concerted efforts and a team that values storytelling over spectacle.”
Director Tiska Chopra shared, “Z Saali MahbatI wanted to tell a story that feels both intimate and unsettling—a story that captures a woman’s gaze in a world full of hidden fractures and polite facades. I’ve always been fascinated by the quiet tensions that exist beneath the surface of relationships – the unseen power struggles, the unspoken expectations, the ways love can turn into something darker. This film explores these delicate boundaries—of trust, betrayal, and identity—but through a profoundly female perspective. It’s about what happens when a woman stops conforming to the emotional roles expected of her and begins to admit her truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. I was incredibly lucky to have such a creative and intuitive producer as Manish Malhotra and his production company Stage5. Manish’s response — just three minutes into the story — gave me the confidence that this story had found its rightful home. He and his team supported the film not only with resources, but also with genuine artistic trust and emotional understanding that allowed it to retain its raw, unpolished honesty. Directing Saali Mahbat was both terrifying and liberating—terrifying because it required emotional vulnerability and liberating because it allowed me to step outside the boundaries that women filmmakers so often find themselves trapped in. I am so grateful to ZEE5 for championing bold, multi-layered, thought-provoking cinema and for bringing this story to audiences looking for something more than surface thrills. And I must also express my sincere gratitude to Jio Studios—for their belief in meaningful storytelling and their commitment to supporting independent, auteur voices. Jio Studios has consistently encouraged stories that push boundaries and I am truly grateful that Saali Mahabbat has found a home with partners who share this vision.”
Saali Mahbat Premiering on ZEE5 later this year!
Also Read: IFFI 2024: Manish Malhotra’s debut ‘Saali Mohabbat’ directed by Tiska Chopra to premiere in Goa
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