Rajinikanth, Shatrughan Sinha and Hema Malini's comeback in young avatars as Hum Mein Shahenshah Koun set to release after 37 years

Nearly four decades after the cameras first rolled, Hum Mein Shahenshah Koun is ready to meet audiences on the big screen. Produced by Raja Roy, brother of actress Reena Roy, the 1989 film stars Shatrughan Sinha, Rajinikanth, Hema Malini, Anita Raaj, Prem Chopra, the late Jagdeep and Amrish Puri. Shot at the peak of their stardom, the film remained unreleased for 37 years, frozen in time until now.

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From Abandonment to Revival

After principal photography wrapped, Raja Roy moved to London, leaving the project incomplete. Sporadic revival attempts followed, but personal tragedies, including the loss of his son, and the demise of director Harmesh Malhotra stalled progress. Years later, Raja returned to India with renewed determination to finish what he had started.

Reflecting on the journey, Raja said, “We never lost hope for this film. Many tragic events have unfolded over the decades, both personally and professionally. Today, I feel grateful that we are finally able to release it in cinemas. This film has endured grief, setbacks, and silence, yet it has survived. This is not just a movie for me; it is my child.”

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Old Soul, New Technology

Described as an action drama rooted in vendetta, the film has undergone a careful technical transformation.

Raja explained, “It is an action film driven by Vendetta. We have used the latest technology to enhance the viewing experience. AI tools were employed for visual smoothing, audio mastering, and to bridge gaps in certain scenes, ensuring continuity without compromising the original performances or narrative structure. I have embraced new-generation techniques while retaining the soul of the film. The final result is now in the audience’s hands.”

The Team That Made It Possible

Associate producers Shabana and Aslam Mirza were instrumental in restoring the film. Aslam shared, “For nearly five years, I have been working to revive this film… The film deserved to be completed properly and presented in a digitally refreshed, modern format on the big screen. We have also added a new song with a contemporary feel to complement the film.”

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Clearances, Congratulations and Promotions

All legal permissions were secured decades ago. Raja confirmed, “We obtained NOCs from all the actors back in the 90s.” On the cast’s response, he added, “I share a very warm relationship with Shatrughan Sinhaji… I am in discussions with Rajinikanthji and will be meeting him soon to talk about promoting the film in the South.”