Subhash Ghai decides to re-release Subodh Bhave-led Vijeta on 3 December

Among the many films that fell by the wayside when the COVID-19 pandemic struck India early last year was the Subodh Bhave-starrer Vijeta (2020).

The sports drama was released in cinema halls in Maharashtra on 12 March 2020. Shortly thereafter, theatres in the state were ordered shut. Barely two weeks later, without warning, the prime minister imposed a countrywide lockdown that continued for 70 days.

Despite that, the makers had announced that they planned to re-release the film at the right time. Now, producer Subhash Ghai has announced that the film will be re-released in theatres on 3 December.

Produced by Mukta Arts, Vijeta stars Bhave as a former mind coach who takes over the national athletics programme to help build champions. The film also features Pooja Sawant, Sushant Shelar and Pritam Kagne.

In a statement, Ghai said, "We make a lot of films and some of them are close to our hearts. Sometimes, a few of them go through accidents like our Marathi film, Vijeta. This film [was] released on 13 March in the morning and shut down in the evening because COVID stopped all cinema halls. Our audiences were disappointed, our artistes were disappointed, and so were we.

"I am happy to announce today that the film will be released in theatres again after COVID. We decided that we will not release the film online till it has been screened in cinema halls. A film meant for the cinema halls should only be seen in cinema halls."