After a gap of nearly five years from his last film release, Gurmeet Choudhary is returning to the big screen with Tum Mere Ho—a project that means far more to him than just another acting assignment. In an exclusive conversation, we spoke to Gurmeet about his upcoming musical drama, his decision to turn producer, the risks involved in backing a project with his own money, and the mounting pressure of getting the film to audiences. Starring Gurmeet alongside Isha Malviya, who is making her Bollywood debut with the film, Tum Mere Ho is scheduled to release in theatres on October 23, 2026. For Gurmeet, however, the journey to this point has been as personal as it has been professional.
When asked about the long gap between his last theatrical release in 2021 and Tum Mere Ho, Gurmeet explained that his time away from films was not a break from work. Instead, he spent those years working on series while reflecting on the kind of cinema he wanted to be associated with. He said, “You’re right—my last film came out in 2021, and after that, I was working on series. That’s actually one of the reasons I decided to produce—I felt it was essential to fulfill my own dreams myself. I wasn’t being offered the kind of scripts or films I wanted to do, and I didn’t want to take on projects that didn’t resonate with me. So, I held back, took some time to reflect, and realized I needed to take this step—to create content based on the subjects I believe in and what I truly want to offer my audience. That’s how it all began. We spent about a year to a year and a half working on every single detail, which is why people are now responding so positively to the trailer and the project itself.”
For Gurmeet, producing the film became a way to take creative control rather than compromise on the stories he wanted to tell. The year to year-and-a-half spent developing the project reflects the effort invested in shaping a film that aligns with his vision.
Producing a film comes with financial and professional risks, particularly for those without an established business background. Gurmeet acknowledged that the project demanded considerable investment, effort and belief in the team’s vision. He said, “There’s a tremendous amount of hard work behind it—it’s our own capital, our own effort. While I’ve had great support—my partners, for instance—nothing comes easily, especially since we don’t come from a business background or have a family business to fall back on. Everything we’ve achieved, we’ve earned on our own. I believe taking risks is essential; it’s the only way to move forward. We took that risk, and I truly believe we’ve made a fantastic film—a musical drama. I feel incredibly proud; I have two daughters of my own, and I think of this film as my third child—one I’ve nurtured and worked incredibly hard to bring to this point. You know, I have a great team and excellent partners who are releasing the film. I feel truly blessed. But naturally, there’s a lot of pressure—regarding how many screens we’ll secure and what the audience response will be.”
Calling Tum Mere Ho his “third child” offers a glimpse into the emotional investment behind the project. The actor-producer has not only put his resources into the film but has also spent months nurturing it, hoping audiences will connect with the story. While he credits his partners and distribution team, the responsibility of making the film reach viewers remains a major concern.
With Gurmeet, his wife Debinna Bonnerjee and co-star Isha Malviya actively involved in promoting the film, we asked how the team was managing the pressure. From travelling between locations to appearing across promotional platforms, the campaign has been intense. Gurmeet's response was candid, revealing just how demanding the final stretch before a film's release can be.
He said, “Well, honestly—as I was just telling someone recently—if you’re an actor or a producer and you’re sleeping soundly at night, something’s wrong. It means your marketing or planning isn’t quite on track. As for me, I haven’t been sleeping—in fact, neither of us has slept properly for the last three or four days! You’ve been seeing us everywhere, back-to-back. Right now, our focus isn’t on the screen count—though we have great partners like PVR INOX, who are doing their absolute best. My sole objective is to figure out how we can further market the film, build more buzz, and reach even more people—because we know we’ve made a good film. The trailer and songs are already out there; when the songs start gaining traction, you know there’s an audience waiting to experience their favorite tracks on the big screen. Our primary goal—mine, Esha’s, and the entire team’s—is to promote the film as extensively as possible. We need to plan our marketing effectively, and I know it’s a huge challenge given the limited time—we’ll have to work day and night. But that’s exactly what makes the whole process of filmmaking so exciting!”
His remarks underline a reality of modern film releases: completing a movie is only one part of the journey. Reaching audiences, creating awareness and building excitement in a crowded theatrical landscape require an equally determined effort. For Gurmeet, the immediate priority is to maximise the film’s visibility rather than become consumed by the number of screens it secures.
Directed by Ashish Panda, Tum Mere Ho stars Gurmeet Choudhary and Isha Malviya, alongside Shaan R Grover, Anushkaa Luhar, Nikhat Khan Hegde, Manik Bedi and Shalini Kapoor. The film is produced by Reva Creative House and DebGuru Films, with Aarti S. and Debinna Bonnerjee as producers, and distributed by PVR INOX Pictures.
Positioned as an intense romantic thriller, the film follows two passionate lovers as they navigate unexpected twists, dangers and obstacles in their fight to protect their relationship. Its music is also an important part of the promotional campaign. The title track, composed by Vivek Verma and Krish and sung by Mohammad Faiz, has already been released, giving audiences a taste of the film’s musical identity.
As Tum Mere Ho approaches its October 23 release, Gurmeet is balancing the excitement of bringing a passion project to theatres with the uncertainty that comes with every new film. After choosing to create the opportunities he felt were missing, he now faces the ultimate test: connecting with audiences. And if his words are anything to go by, the actor-producer is ready to put in every possible hour to give his “third child” the launch he believes it deserves.