 "A quiet, chilly winter sets the stage: Radhika Apte, Divyendu Sharma, Anurag Kashyap unite for Tisca Chopra's directorial debut 'Saali Mohabbat'")
Hindi ZEE5 unveiled the enthralling trailer of its upcoming original film Saali Mohabbat today. The direct-to-digital film is a gripping how-dunnit that marks Tisca Chopra’s debut as a feature-film director and features powerful performances by Radhika Apte, Divyenndu Sharma, Anurag Kashyap, Anshumaan Pushkar, Sharat Saxena, Sauraseni Maitra with a special cameo by Kusha Kapila.
Produced by Jio Studios and Manish Malhotra’s Stage5 Production, the film delves into a tense and emotionally charged world where the truth is never as simple as it seems. After drawing strong appreciation at IFFI and the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, Saali Mohabbat is all set to captivate a wider audience as it premieres on 12th December, exclusively on ZEE5.
Smita, played by Radhika Apte, lives a sheltered, near-invisible life in the quiet town of Fursatgarh—tending to her lush garden where every leaf feels like a confidant. She finds comfort in the familiar rhythm of her plants, her husband, and the quiet routine she follows with near-ritual devotion. Her world is small, predictable, almost sealed from everything beyond it.
But everything fractures when a shocking double murder shatters the town’s peace. As hidden tensions and motives rise to the surface, it becomes clear that things are not as simple or uncomplicated as they once seemed. Amid the deepening investigation, Smita is pulled out of her cocoon and into the swirl of suspicion alongside many other potential suspects. Forced into the open, she must confront not only the mysteries unraveling around her but also fight to preserve her own sense of peace and sanity.
Radhika Apte shared, “The trailer captures the unsettling stillness of Smita’s world. Playing her meant sitting with emotions that aren’t always easy to define, and that challenge was incredibly rewarding. Tisca’s guidance helped me find that fragile balance between quiet vulnerability and hidden strength. Smita may appear reserved, but she shouldn’t be provoked—never underestimate the power of a quiet woman. I’m thrilled that with the backing of Jio Studios and Stage5 Production, the film is premiering on ZEE5, a platform that continues to champion bold, character-driven stories, just as they did with my last outing, Mrs. Undercover.”
Divyenndu Sharma added, “What struck me most while watching the trailer is how strongly it draws you into the emotional chaos of these characters without revealing too much. There’s a quiet intensity to it, almost like you’re witnessing moments you were never meant to see. Working on Saali Mohabbat meant stepping into that discomfort and trusting the truth of the story. Tisca creates an atmosphere where silences speak louder than words, and the trailer reflects that beautifully. I’m glad that ZEE5 in collaboration with Jio Studios and Stage5 Production is bringing this film to such a wide audience, and I’m excited for viewers to experience the tension and form their own interpretations.”