Gulshan Devaiah reacts to the OTT success of ‘8 A.M. Metro’ after 2023 release: 'Some films take time to find their people'

Nearly three years after its theatrical debut, ‘8 A.M. ’Metro’ has found renewed appreciation from audiences following its arrival on Amazon Prime Video. Actor Gulshan Devaiah expressed gratitude as viewers rediscovered the film online, noting that intimate stories often struggle to get noticed in theatres.

Reflecting on the response, he remarked that “films like ours sometimes slip through the cracks despite having an audience.

”Reacting to the overwhelming response, Gulshan shared with Mid-Day, “The love that ‘8 A.M. Metro’ is receiving now feels like a never-ending gift. When the film first released in cinemas in 2023, it had a very limited run - no massive promotions, no big marketing campaign, and not a wide release.

It didn’t make noise at the box office, but somewhere deep down, we knew we had made something honest. Today, seeing audiences discover it on OTT and connect with it so personally is incredibly moving for me.

”

Gulshan Devaiah on challenges faced by smaller films

The actor also reflected on the larger industry challenge that smaller films often face. According to him, many thoughtful, character-driven projects struggle to find space in theatres or on streaming platforms dominated by big-budget titles.

Speaking about the issue, Devaiah said, “The reality is that there isn’t really a proper ecosystem for smaller, personal films like ‘8 A.M. Metro’.” His comments highlight how many niche films rely on word of mouth and delayed discovery rather than immediate box office success.Gulshan also described the film as one of the most emotionally demanding roles he has ever played. “ ‘8 A.M. Metro’ is probably the most emotional performance I’ve given.

It’s not your typical love story - in fact, it’s a love story that was perhaps never meant to find its ‘perfect’ fate. And that’s what makes it so real,” he said.Devaiah further added, “Not every connection is meant to culminate in fireworks. Some are meant to exist quietly, beautifully, and then pass. Of course, one wishes that more people had discovered the film when it first released. But perhaps this is just the life cycle of certain stories.

Some films take time to find their people.”

More about ‘8 A.M. Metro’

The film, which stars Gulshan Devaiah alongside Saiyami Kher and is directed by debutant filmmaker Raj Rachakonda, tells a gentle and reflective story about unexpected connections. Though it had a limited theatrical presence in 2023, the film is now gaining widespread appreciation from viewers who have discovered it through streaming.Over the past few weeks, the actor has been receiving numerous messages from audiences who say the story stayed with them long after watching it.

Many viewers have praised the film’s emotional depth and understated storytelling, helping it find a new audience years after its original release.

‘8 A.M. Metro's journey from theatres to OTT

‘8 A.M. Metro’ first released in theatres on May 19, 2023, where it had a modest run. It later made its streaming debut on ZEE5 on May 10, 2024. The film eventually reached a much wider audience when it began streaming on Amazon Prime Video on February 15, 2026, sparking renewed interest and appreciation.