The Indian film distribution market has witnessed another major development, with Pen Marudhar reportedly making two significant acquisitions ahead of some of the year's most anticipated releases. According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the distributor has acquired the theatrical rights to Emraan Hashmi-starrer Gunmaaster G9 for more than ₹35 crore and the Hindi rights of Rajinikanth's Jailer 2 for upwards of ₹15 crore.
Together, the reported deals represent an investment of more than ₹50 crore and underline Pen Marudhar's growing presence in the theatrical distribution business.
Pen Marudhar Makes Two Major Acquisitions
Pen Marudhar has reportedly been expanding its portfolio of high-profile films. After acquiring projects such as Awarapan 2, Love & War and King, the company has now added Gunmaaster G9 and Jailer 2 to its upcoming slate.
A source cited by Bollywood Hungama claimed that Pen Marudhar was confident about the box-office potential of both films and therefore bid aggressively to secure their rights.
The distributor's latest acquisitions also come at an interesting time, with both films carrying significant star power and strong franchise or actor-driven appeal.
Gunmaaster G9 Rights Reportedly Sold for ₹35 Crore Plus
According to the report, Pen Marudhar has acquired the rights to Gunmaaster G9 for more than ₹35 crore.
The film stars Emraan Hashmi, Genelia Deshmukh and Aparshakti Khurana and is directed by Aditya Datt. It is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on November 27, 2026.
The deal is particularly interesting because Emraan Hashmi is coming off the success of Awarapan 2, which was also distributed by Pen Marudhar. The distributor is reportedly expecting the momentum surrounding Emraan's recent release to help generate interest in Gunmaaster G9.
Why Emraan Hashmi’s Awarapan 2 Success Matters
The connection between Awarapan 2 and Gunmaaster G9 goes beyond the fact that both films feature Emraan Hashmi.
Pen Marudhar was involved in the distribution of Awarapan 2, and the company's confidence in Emraan's current theatrical appeal appears to have played a role in its decision to acquire Gunmaaster G9.
The upcoming film also brings together Emraan Hashmi and filmmaker Aditya Datt, while Himesh Reshammiya is associated with its music. The combination has generated interest among fans who remember the team's earlier collaborations.
Jailer 2 Hindi Rights Cross ₹15 Crore
Pen Marudhar has reportedly also acquired the Hindi theatrical rights of Jailer 2 for more than ₹15 crore.
The film brings back Rajinikanth as Muthuvel Pandian, also known as Tiger, following the success of the first Jailer. The sequel also features actors including Vidya Balan and Mithun Chakraborty.
Jailer 2 is scheduled to release in cinemas on October 15, 2026, making it the earlier of the two major releases in Pen Marudhar's latest acquisitions.
Why Jailer 2 Could Be Different in Hindi
The first Jailer, released in 2023, had a relatively limited theatrical run in the Hindi market. According to the trade source cited by Bollywood Hungama, the film faced competition from Gadar 2 and OMG 2 and did not release through national cinema chains at the time.
However, the film subsequently found a much wider audience through OTT and satellite television. This helped the Jailer franchise become more familiar among Hindi-speaking viewers.
The sequel is expected to receive a wider Hindi theatrical release, including a presence in national chains. This has reportedly contributed to Pen Marudhar's confidence in the film's commercial prospects.
Rajinikanth’s Coolie Gives Another Clue
Another factor being considered by the distributor is Rajinikanth's recent theatrical performance in Hindi.
His 2025 film Coolie received a wider release across multiplex chains, and its Hindi version reportedly collected around ₹34 crore during its theatrical run. Coolie was also distributed by Pen Marudhar in the Northern belt.
The company can therefore draw on its own distribution experience while planning the Hindi release strategy for Jailer 2.
Pen Marudhar’s Growing Movie Portfolio
The latest deals demonstrate the scale at which Pen Marudhar is operating in the Indian theatrical market.
The company has already been associated with several major upcoming titles and has now added two films featuring prominent names from Hindi and South Indian cinema.
With Gunmaaster G9 bringing Emraan Hashmi's star power and Jailer 2 featuring Rajinikanth, the two acquisitions give Pen Marudhar a diverse combination of Hindi and dubbed South Indian theatrical content.
Two Big Releases, One Distribution Gamble
The reported ₹35 crore-plus acquisition for Gunmaaster G9 and ₹15 crore-plus deal for the Hindi rights of Jailer 2 make this a significant period for Pen Marudhar.
Both films have different selling points. Gunmaaster G9 is built around action, romance and music, while Jailer 2 has the advantage of Rajinikanth returning to one of his most recognisable recent characters.
With Jailer 2 arriving on October 15 and Gunmaaster G9 following on November 27, the coming weeks will reveal whether Pen Marudhar's aggressive investment strategy translates into strong theatrical returns.
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