Junaid Khan, superstar Aamir Khan’s son, made a confident entry into the industry with Aditya Chopra’s Maharaj, which premiered directly on Netflix. The period drama earned him appreciation for his restrained performance and marked him as a talent to watch. However, expectations were higher for his first theatrical outing, Loveyappa, which unfortunately failed to strike the same chord at the box office. Despite the lukewarm response, industry insiders have maintained that Junaid remains a long-term bet, with stronger projects lined up ahead.One such film is Mere Raho, a romantic drama backed by Aamir Khan Productions and directed by Sunil Pandey. The film pairs Junaid with Sai Pallavi, making it one of the more closely watched upcoming releases for both actors. Initially, Mere Raho was expected to hit theatres in December 2025, positioning it as a year-end release. However, according to an ETimes report, the film was delayed, pushing it out of its original slot.
Now, as per Gulte, the makers have locked July 2026 as the new release window, opting for a solo theatrical release. The shift suggests confidence in the film’s content, with the producers seemingly keen to avoid clashes and give the romance a clear run at the box office. A July release could also allow the film to benefit from strong word of mouth if it connects with audiences.Mere Raho is particularly significant as it marks Sai Pallavi’s Hindi film debut. One of the most respected performers in South Indian cinema, Pallavi has long been selective about entering Bollywood, choosing to wait for the right script rather than rushing into the market. Interestingly, 2025 has been a relatively quiet year for Sai Pallavi. She had just one release last year, Thandel in which she starred opposite Naga Chaitanya. The film turned out to be a commercial success, collecting over Rs 100 crore worldwide.Beyond Mere Raho, Pallavi already has a major Hindi project lined up, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and produced by Namit Malhotra, slated for a Diwali 2026 release. In the epic, she will be seen portraying Goddess Sita, a role expected to introduce her to a much wider pan-Indian audience.
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