VMPL
New Delhi [India], April 2: Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani, and Shaan have come together for the Hindi feature film Mr. Paanwala, the directorial debut of Vijay Bhola, one of the leading organisers in the UK's live entertainment industry. After four decades of shaping the UK's live Asian music scene, Bhola now turns to cinema with 'Mr. Paanwala', a heartfelt, music-led film produced by Gayatri Bhola and Vijay Bhola, is set for a worldwide release on YouTube under the production label 'Rock On Music' on April 3, 2026.
Mr. Paanwala is a full-length feature film rooted in emotion, tradition, and the evolving dynamics of family. Set in Lucknow, the film explores the life of an ageing couple running a paan shop as they navigate changing times and the emotional distance created by migration. Led by powerful performances from Mita Vashisht and Yashpal Sharma, the film brings a lived-in authenticity and quiet dignity to its storytelling. At its core, Mr. Paanwala also celebrates music as a narrative force, with songs sung by Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani, Shaan, along with Jazim Sharma and Salman Ali, with music composed by Jazim Sharma. Rooted in traditional melodies, from romance and celebration to deeply emotional tracks, the soundtrack reflects Bhola's belief that songs must belong organically to the story. Using Lucknow not just as a backdrop but as a feeling, the film captures its cultural grace and sense of continuity, with the paan shop emerging as a metaphor for heritage and community. At the same time, the narrative thoughtfully explores migration, not from the perspective of those who leave, but those left behind, highlighting the emotional gaps that distance can create within families. Known for bringing some of the biggest Indian music acts to international stages, Vijay Bhola now channels that legacy into storytelling, creating a film where music is not just an element, but a driving force of the narrative.
Speaking about the film, director Vijay Bhola fondly shared, "I've worked with some of the biggest Bollywood icons like Shreya Ghoshal, Arijit Singh, Vishal-Shekhar, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Bappi Lahiri, Vishal Mishra, Javed Ali, Badshah, Kishore Kumar, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and many more on stage in the UK. Live shows are all about a larger scale, but somewhere along the way, I found myself wanting to tell a story that doesn't just entertain for a night, but stays with people. That desire led me to create Mr. Paanwala."
He further added, "Music has always been at the heart of what I do, and bringing together such incredible artists for this film was very special. I am grateful to all of them for collaborating with me and being a part of my film. This film is deeply personal, it's about families, the older generation, love, and the emotional distances we don't always talk about."
At the London premiere, the film received praise from several artists in attendance, including Badshah and Vishal Dadlani. Badshah said, "It's rare to see someone successfully make the leap from being one of the top concert organisers to directing a film. It really shows that passion and hunger can take you anywhere." Vishal Dadlani added, "When you hear a song and instantly feel connected, you know it's special. Vijay's love for music clearly reflects in this film, and it's wonderful to see him bring that sensibility into storytelling. Jazim, the composer, is yet another talent he has discovered, which makes it even more meaningful."
Despite decades of success as a concert organiser, Vijay Bhola describes filmmaking as a deeply personal milestone. With Mr. Paanwala, he hopes to connect with audiences across the world, especially within the diaspora, who will relate to its themes. Making the film globally accessible was a conscious choice, one that felt both natural and important to him.
With its worldwide release on YouTube, Mr. Paanwala aims to reach audiences across geographies, blending together powerful storytelling and a rich musical experience. Bringing together the voices of some of India's most loved singers with a deeply human narrative, Vijay Bhola's debut marks a new chapter, one that connects with audiences not just through scale, but through emotion.
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