In a gesture of reverence for the late Bollywood icon Dharmendra, his memorable film Yamla Pagla Deewana is slated for a re-release in theaters. The film, which stars Dharmendra alongside his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, is expected to return to cinemas on January 1, 2026,.
The decision to re-release the comedy-drama comes after Dharmendra's passing on November 24 at the age of 89, an event that deeply saddened the film industry. The re-release is intended as a tribute to the actor, affectionately known as the "He-Man" of Bollywood, and his enduring contribution to Indian cinema.
According to a source close to Bollywood Hungama, the re-release of Yamla Pagla Deewana aims to honor Dharmendra, who was admired by audiences across generations. The source stated that the film is a fitting tribute to a man who left a lasting impact on the world of cinema. The film was considered suitable for a re-run as it remains fresh, entertaining, and stars Dharmendra with his two sons.
Initially, the re-release was planned for December 19, 2025. However, NH Studioz, the rights holder of the film, decided to postpone it due to the "Dhurandhar wave". Yamla Pagla Deewana is now expected to arrive in cinemas on January 1, 2026. A final decision regarding the release is expected in the coming days.
Directed by Samir Karnik, Yamla Pagla Deewana tells the story of a man living in Canada who travels to Banaras to reconnect with his estranged brother and father. The trio then embarks on a journey to Punjab to help the younger brother win over his love interest. Upon its release, the film was a commercial success, grossing ₹7.95 crores on its opening day and accumulating a lifetime collection of ₹55.28 crores. The film's success led to two sequels, Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (2013) and Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se (2018), although neither matched the box office success of the original.
Dharmendra's final film, Ikkis, a war drama featuring Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda and Akshay Kumar's niece Simar Bhatia, is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 25, 2025.
