Love Lottery Set for September 25 Release After Censor Delay

The Hindi suspense thriller Love Lottery is scheduled to release in theatres on September 25, 2026. The film was previously set to arrive on September 18 but was postponed by one week due to a delay in obtaining its censor certificate.

The film stars Akshay Oberoi and Heli Daruwala in lead roles. It is directed by Arvind Pandey and produced by Kuldeep Bhargava under the Cinema Ganj Films banner.

The story follows Kartik Saxena, a corporate professional whose marriage to Bharani Verma ends in betrayal and mistrust. When Bharani is found murdered, Kartik becomes the prime suspect and must fight a courtroom battle to prove his innocence.

The film blends relationship drama with elements of suspense and courtroom storytelling. It also examines themes of marital disputes, men’s rights, and the alleged misuse of women-centric laws.

Akshay Oberoi said in a statement, ‘This film talks about certain issues that men in our society may feel hesitant or even ashamed to speak about. A section of society has suffered lifelong pain because of the misuse of certain laws. This film gives a voice to those who have gone through such experiences.’

Oberoi also said, ‘And remember, the victim is not always just a man—his mother, sister or any other woman close to him can also suffer because of the same situation.’

Director Arvind Pandey said, ‘Love Lottery is an attempt to bring a sensitive and rarely discussed subject into the conversation through the language of crime, suspense, and emotion. The film does not intend to target or blame an entire gender. Instead, it raises questions about what happens when laws, relationships, and personal conflicts become intertwined.’

Producer Kuldeep Bhargava ‘Tushar’ said, ‘We have tried to tell the story in an engaging way while leaving the audience with questions to think about.’

Writer Ankur Khattri said, ‘The subject of Love Lottery is sensitive, and our biggest responsibility was to present it with balance and maturity. The film explores how love, trust, and marriage can sometimes take an unexpected turn.’

Heli Daruwala, who makes her debut as a lead with this film, said, ‘It’s always the small steps that lead you to your big goals. Perseverance and determination have kept me going.’

Daruwala also spoke about working with Oberoi. She said, ‘Akshay is a very fun co-actor to work with. We were very aligned on our scenes, and at times it felt so effortless that I never felt like I was working with him for the first time.’

The supporting cast includes Kabir Duhan Singh, Vijayant Kohli, Hemant Pandey, Indira Krishnan, Santosh Shukla, Vikramm Sharma, Agni Agyari, Kumar Saurabh, Ashwant Lodhi, and Arshdeep Sandhu.

The film’s teaser was released on August 18, 2026. A 38-second glimpse raised questions about relationships, trust, and the alleged misuse of women-centric laws. The trailer was unveiled at a special press conference in New Delhi.

The music for the film is composed by Varun Mishra and Arvind Pandey. Songs such as ‘Nazar Lag Jayegi’ and ‘Bewafaa’ were released ahead of the film’s theatrical debut.

A special screening of Love Lottery was held at Cinepolis, One Awadh Centre Mall in Lucknow on September 24, 2026, a day ahead of its theatrical release. The event was attended by director Arvind Pandey, producer Kuldeep Bhargava ‘Tushar’, co-producer Paridhi Bhargava, and actors Akshay Oberoi and Agni Agyari.

The film has received mixed reviews from critics. The Times of India rated it 3 out of 5, noting that Akshay Oberoi anchors the film with a restrained performance. Other reviews praised the film’s premise and Oberoi’s acting while criticising its uneven pacing and treatment of gender politics.

Love Lottery opened in theatres on September 25, 2026. According to trade figures, the film earned approximately ₹0.09 crore net in India on its opening day.