Feb 20, 2026 1:38pm IST
Finished But Not Released: Vaani Kapoor’s Three Films Remain In Limbo (EXCLUSIVE)
Vaani Kapoor, who was last seen in Yash Raj Film's Netflix series, “Mandala Murders,” has multiple projects lying unreleased. Variety India has learned that Kapoor's three films—”Sarvagunn Sampann,” “Abir Gulaal” and “Badtameez Gill”—are struggling for release despite being ready for a long time.
The longest delayed project among them is Maddock Films' social comedy, “Sarvagunn Sampann.” Vaani plays the role of a small-town girl who looks like a popular porn star in this high-concept progressive film. The actress has called it “the most challenging and multi-faceted” role of her career—one in which her character fights for her integrity while confronting the regressive mindset of a patriarchal society. The film marks the directorial debut of Shonali Rattan Deshmukh, who has previously assisted on films such as “Tum Mile,” “Jannat” and “Shiddat.”
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“Sarvgunn Sampann” was completed in 2023 but has remained unreleased since then. It's one of three films Maddock Films made during the same timeframe but has forgotten about its existence after that. The other two projects are Mrunal Thakur and Huma Qureshi starrer “Pooja Meri Jaan” and Radhikka Madan's “Rumi Ki Sharafat.” Sources say Dinesh Vijan has been trying to package the films together for sale to streaming platforms but has yet to secure a deal that meets his expectations, leaving the projects in limbo for nearly three years.
Vaani's other stalled film is “Abir Gulaal,” which remains unreleased in India due to the casting of Pakistani actor Fawad Khan opposite her. The project was initially slated for release on May 9, 2025. However, the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 people, led to widespread calls to halt the film’s release in India. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has maintained its stance on a complete non-cooperation policy with Pakistani talent in the Indian film industry, effectively blocking the film’s prospects of a domestic release. The film also stars Lisa Haydon, Riddhi Dogra, Farida Jalal, Soni Razdan, and Parmeet Sethi in pivotal parts.
Additionally, “Badtameez Gill,” which stars her alongside Aparshakti Khurrana and Paresh Rawal, has failed to release because its producers Nicky and Vicky Bhagnani have failed to secure a buyer. Shooting was finished in July 2024, with its initial release planned for November 29, 2024. However, the release was later postponed, and there hasn't been any clarity since. Directed by Navjot Gulati, “Badtameez Gill” has been described as a "coming-of-modern-age dramedy" that explores family dynamics.
As Variety India recently reported, more than 50 small- and medium-budget Hindi films are lying unsold, unable to find theatrical or streaming buyers. Vaani is not alone; many other Bollywood actors are facing similar setbacks, with multiple finished projects stalled amid an increasingly challenging distribution landscape.
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