Hansal Mehta, the acclaimed director behind films like Shahid and Aligarh, recently shared his thoughts on the reception of his 2017 film Omerta. The crime drama, which stars Rajkummar Rao as the notorious terrorist Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, had a limited theatrical release and didn’t make a significant impact at the box office. Mehta was quick to remind fans of this when one hailed the movie as “career-defining.”
A fan on social media praised Omerta, calling it a “hidden gem” and praising Rajkummar Rao’s performance. The tweet, which also mentioned that the film was streaming on multiple platforms including Prime Video, JioCinema, and Zee5, caught the attention of Mehta. However, instead of simply accepting the compliment, Mehta responded with a touch of humor and self-deprecation. He wrote, “So career defining that nobody watched the film. So career defining that neither of us have made a film like this again. Career defining indeed.”
This candid response shows that, despite the praise, Mehta feels the film didn’t get the recognition it deserved. In fact, Omerta had a very limited theatrical release, and many fans who were eager to watch it were unable to find screenings. Some fans took to social media to share their own stories, commenting how they struggled to watch the movie in theaters. One fan shared how they had to travel long distances to find a screening, only to be told that the show was canceled due to low audience numbers.
Despite the challenges the film faced, many viewers still consider it one of Rajkummar Rao’s best performances. One fan wrote, “One of @RajkummarRao’s best works till date. Loved the movie, but yes, watched it on OTT. Couldn’t find a screen showing it in Sydney at the time of release.” Another shared a memory of seeing the movie in a small theater in Goa, where they were the only person in the audience.
This back-and-forth between Mehta and fans reveals the bittersweet truth about many critically acclaimed films that fail to reach a wider audience. Even though Omerta received praise for its gripping narrative and outstanding performances, it struggled to draw attention during its theatrical release. The movie, based on the real-life story of Sheikh, is intense and thought-provoking, but perhaps its dark themes and the nature of its subject matter didn’t attract mainstream audiences.
Many fans agreed with Mehta’s assessment, acknowledging that Omerta did not get the chance it deserved in cinemas. However, they also expressed their love for the film and the work done by both Mehta and Rao. The director-actor duo has a solid history of successful collaborations, and films like Shahid are considered landmarks in Indian cinema. Despite the box office struggles of Omerta, it remains a film that has earned a loyal following among those who appreciate its gritty storytelling and Rao’s incredible portrayal of a real-life terrorist.
While the film’s lack of a major theatrical release may have held it back from reaching a larger audience, it’s clear that Omerta is still remembered by those who experienced it. Mehta’s humor and humility in acknowledging the film’s limited reach show his awareness of the ups and downs of the film industry. It also highlights a broader issue faced by many filmmakers: the difference between critical success and commercial recognition.
In the end, Omerta might not have been a box-office hit, but for those who watched it, it left a lasting impression. Mehta and Rao’s work in the film continues to be appreciated by a dedicated fanbase, and while the film might not have been as widely seen as they would have hoped, it remains an important part of their careers.
