3 years of Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan: Anand L Rai calls the film the need of the hour

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, starring Ayushman Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar, was released three years ago today. Marking the occasion, producer Anand L Rai said that stories that celebrate inclusivity in society are the need of the hour.

The 2020 film was directed by Hitesh Kewalya, and also stars Gajraj Rao, Neena Gupta, Manu Rishi, Maanvi Gagroo and Bhumi Pednekar. The story of the film revolves around Kartik and Aman (Ayushmann and Jitendra), who are in love with each other but haven't come out to their families. It is about how both the characters, from a middle-class family in Allahabad, come out of the closet and convince their homophobic families and the society at large to accept their love and relationship.

Anand said, "Films like Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan are the need of the hour. Society has slowly started accepting and changing the way it perceives things. I’m happy that the audience accepted the film and showered it with a lot of love and appreciation."

Last year, Anand produced and directed Good Luck Jerry, Raksha Bandhan, and An Action Hero. His production house is also gearing up for the release of Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba, starring Taapsee Pannu.

Anand's recently ventured into the Marathi film industry with Aatma Pamphlet, which was screened at the Berlin Film Festival. Following the success in regional cinema, he recently announced the second installment of the Marathi film Jhimma, which was among the highest grossing films of 2021.

Anand is known for making films on unusual subjects, and has delivered superhits like Raanjhanaa, Tanu Weds Manu, Tanu Weds Manu: Returns, and Atrangi Re.