Vanvaas on OTT: Anil Sharma and Nana Patekar’s family drama gets a March release date on streaming

Filmmaker Anil Sharma has been making headlines for quite some time now as he juggles multiple film projects. While fans eagerly await an update on Gadar 3, the director has been working on several other films. One of them was his return to the family drama genre with Vanvaas, which released in December 2024. Starring Nana Patekar in the lead, alongside Utkarsh Sharma and others, the film was one of the most talked-about releases in the last quarter of 2024. Now, it is finally making its way to the streaming world, and here’s everything you need to know.

Vanvaas To Arrive on OTT In March

In Vanvaas, Deepak Tyagi (Nana Patekar) is an elderly man battling advanced-stage dementia, which causes frequent memory lapses and sudden attacks. His selfish children, who want to get rid of him, take him to Benaras and abandon him at the ghats. Veeru (Utkarsh Sharma), an orphan, finds Deepak and takes care of him. After a couple of emotional songs and dramatic sequences, Veeru decides to help Deepak find his home. 

However, back home, Deepak’s children have already declared him dead and are now scheming to steal his wealth. Will he make it back home? And even if he does, will he still have a place there?

Following a disappointing theatrical run, Vanvaas is now set to premiere on Zee5. According to the latest listings, the film will be available for streaming on March 14. Subscribers of Zee5 can watch the movie under their regular subscription, with no additional rental fee. The film will also be accessible through OTTplay Premium.

Also Read: Vanvaas review: If Baghban had a toxic ex with a Gadar meets Apne hangover

Anil Sharma on the Noise Surrounding His Work

Anil Sharma has never been afraid to experiment with different genres, and for him, Vanvaas is a "homecoming" or "Ghar Wapsi", as he describes it. In an exclusive chat, the filmmaker opened up about how he has often been advised against certain creative choices—but he always follows his instincts.

He recalled how many suggested not including the iconic hand pump scene in Gadar 2, but he went ahead with it, and the rest is history. Sharma emphasized that he has been hearing such opinions for decades, but ultimately, he does what he feels is right. “Woh toh constant hai. Yeh kahani 1980 me bhi yahi chalti thi ki zamana badal gaya. 1990, 2000, 2010, 2020 har bar yahi suna. Main toh chaar dashakon se sunte aa raha hoon ke zamana badal gaya. Par aaj agar 1940 ki movie bhi dekh lo, usme bhi yahi suna jaata hai ki zamana badal gaya.”("This has always been a constant. Even in 1980, people said times had changed. In 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, I heard the same thing. I’ve been hearing it for four decades. But even if you watch a film from the 1940s, you’ll find people saying the same thing.")

When asked how he processes the criticism and noise surrounding his films, Anil Sharma responded thoughtfully:“Jo achha-bura aayega, uski zimmedari meri. Kal agar film achha karegi toh usme sabki mehnat hai, agar kamaal nahi karegi toh zimmedari meri. Mera hi kuch problem hai.” ("Whatever happens to the film is my responsibility. If it succeeds, it's a team effort. But if it doesn’t perform well, then the responsibility is mine. Maybe I did something wrong—the problem is mine.")

With Vanvaas now set for its OTT debut, fans who missed it in theaters can finally experience the emotionally charged drama at home. The film will be available for streaming on Zee5 from March 14, and subscribers of OTTplay Premium can also access it. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films!

Also Read: Gadar 2 on OTT: Where to watch Sunny Deol's period action drama after its theatrical run