Bandish Bandits breakout star Ritwik Bhowmik is stepping onto the big screen with his first theatrical release, Abhootpurva (Unprecedented). Bhowmik, who has built a strong and loyal following through his OTT work, will headline the Hor-Rom-Com — an unusual blend of romance, horror, and comedy.
The film pairs Bhowmik with seven acclaimed actors and a female lead, whose identities will be revealed in a full cast announcement next month.
Set in Agra during the 1990s, Abhootpurva promises to bring back the innocence of first love, the charm of small-town quirks, and an unexpected supernatural twist. Music will play a key role, anchoring the nostalgia of the decade.
Ritwik Bhowmik shared, “This script felt incredibly special from the very first narration. It has stayed with me ever since; it lingers like a beautiful dream. It’s exactly the kind of storytelling I have always wanted to be a part of. It continues to live in my head and heart every day. It is heartwarming in the truest sense, a story about love, innocence, and moments that linger long after.”
Producer Khyati Madaan added, “Abhootpurva is a film very close to my heart. It’s set in 90s Agra, where love felt pure, simple, and yet larger than life. With romance, humor, nostalgia, and a touch of the supernatural, this film is designed as a true big-screen experience. Having Ritwik make his theatrical debut with us makes it even more special, and the ensemble we’re about to announce will surprise everyone.”
To set the tone, the makers released a note that encapsulates the spirit of the film:
There are stories of incomplete love,
Then there are stories of one-sided love,
There are stories of lovers who gave their lives,
Then there are stories of lovers who took lives.
But you have never heard a story
of a lover who lost a life only to take another,
who lost love only to find it again.
A story never told, a story never heard —
“Abhootpurva” (Unprecedented)
Presenting the nostalgia of the 1990s.
Abhootpurva is produced by Khyati Madaan under her banner Not Out Entertainment, along with Sumit Kumar Mishra. Cameras are scheduled to roll in November 2025.
This is Not Out Entertainment’s second major announcement of the year, following Ahan Shetty’s upcoming film, billed as India’s first horror feature inspired by a national tragedy. Madaan, who previously helmed marketing campaigns at Red Chillies Entertainment, Disney India, and Maddock Films, has also revealed a diverse production slate that includes a slice-of-life drama directed by Habib Faisal (Do Dooni Chaar, Ishaqzaade).
Bhowmik, who captured hearts in Bandish Bandits and went on to deliver memorable performances in The Whistleblower, Modern Love Mumbai, and Maja Ma, is now poised for his big-screen leap. With Abhootpurva, he takes on a story positioned as both unconventional and theatrical in scope — one that blends nostalgia with genre-bending storytelling.
