Pooja Bhatt resurfaces 1993 'Pehla Nasha' poster with Raveena Tandon, Deepak Tijori
Synopsis
Pooja Bhatt's throwback post of Pehla Nasha isn't just nostalgia—it's a window into a pivotal moment in Hindi cinema. The 1993 film, which bombed at the box office despite an ensemble cast and a Gowariker debut, has quietly become a cult curiosity in the streaming era. Why are 30-year-old box-office failures suddenly worth remembering?
Key Takeaways
Pooja Bhatt shared a vintage poster of Pehla Nasha on 2 May , featuring herself, Raveena Tandon , and Deepak Tijori .
The film released on 13 August 1993 and marked filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker's directorial debut.
Produced by Mohammed A.
Rahim and Viral Shah under Ahlan Productions , the film failed at the box office.
The film reportedly drew inspiration from Brian De Palma's Body Double and featured cameos by Aamir Khan , Shah Rukh Khan , Saif Ali Khan , Juhi Chawla , and Rahul Roy .
The title drew from the iconic song "Pehla Nasha" from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar .
Actress-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt on 2 May shared a vintage poster of her 1993 film Pehla Nasha on social media, reuniting the image of herself alongside Deepak Tijori and Raveena Tandon in their early 1990s avatars. The throwback moment prompted nostalgia for a film that marked filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker's directorial debut before he went on to helm blockbusters like Lagaan, Swades, and Jodhaa Akbar.
The film's background
Pehla Nasha released theatrically on 13 August 1993 under the banner Ahlan Productions, produced by Mohammed A. Rahim and Viral Shah. The film was reportedly inspired by Brian De Palma's Body Double, while its title drew from the iconic song "Pehla Nasha" featured in the cult classic Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.
A star-studded ensemble
Beyond its three leads, the film featured memorable cameo appearances by Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Juhi Chawla, and Rahul Roy. Despite the ensemble cast, the film failed to find traction at the box office upon release.
The cast's trajectory
Pooja Bhatt rose to prominence through films like Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, Sadak, Sir, and Zakhm, establishing herself as both an actress and filmmaker. Deepak Tijori became recognisable through hits including Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, and Aashiqui. Raveena Tandon carved her niche with films such as Mohra, Dilwale, Andaz Apna Apna, and Dulhe Raja.
Why the throwback matters
Pehla Nasha represents a turning point in Indian cinema—a Gowariker debut that, while commercially unsuccessful, showcased the director's visual sensibility and the early careers of three actors who would define 1990s Hindi cinema. The poster's re-emergence underscores how streaming platforms and social media have revived interest in overlooked films from the era.
Point of View
But as a stylistic experiment that predated the glossy 1990s Bollywood aesthetic. That Pooja Bhatt is dusting it off now, in an era when streaming has democratised access to overlooked cinema, suggests the film's reputation may be quietly shifting from 'forgotten flop' to 'cult curiosity.'
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Pehla Nasha' and when was it released?
Pehla Nasha is a 1993 Hindi film released on 13 August 1993, starring Pooja Bhatt, Raveena Tandon, and Deepak Tijori. It marked filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker's directorial debut before he went on to direct blockbusters like Lagaan and Swades.
Why did Pooja Bhatt share the poster on social media?
Pooja Bhatt shared the vintage poster on 2 May as a nostalgic throwback, captioning it 'Look what I found @deepaktijoriteam #pehlanasha.' The post reconnected audiences with the film and its three lead actors from their early 1990s avatars.
Was 'Pehla Nasha' successful at the box office?
No, Pehla Nasha failed to find commercial success upon its theatrical release, despite featuring an ensemble cast that included cameos by Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Juhi Chawla, and Rahul Roy.
What was the film's inspiration and title origin?
The film was reportedly inspired by Brian De Palma's Body Double. Its title was derived from the iconic song 'Pehla Nasha' from the cult classic film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.
Who produced 'Pehla Nasha'?
Pehla Nasha was produced by Mohammed A. Rahim and Viral Shah under the banner Ahlan Productions.
