MUMBAI: National, May 10, 2024: ZEE5, India’s largest home-grown video streaming platform and a multilingual storyteller, dropped another free-to-stream movie, ‘8 A.M. Metro’ on May 10. Directed by Raj Rachakonda, ‘8 A.M. Metro’ revolves around a platonic companionship between two strangers played by Gulshan Devaiah and Saiyami Kher in the lead roles. Produced by Studio 99, 8 A.M. Metro is a homage to Gulzar’s poetry and is beautifully seeped in metaphors and symbolism.

Written and directed by Raj R, co-written by Shruti Bhatnagar, music by Mark K Robin, poetry by Gulzar and lyrics by Kausar Muni, 8 A.M isn't just a movie, it is a group therapy session. It extends an arm to you for a warm hug and leaves your heart light as you finish the movie. The movie is beautifully laced with 7 heartwarming songs including Nayi Zindagi by Jonita Gandhi, Ghoomey by Jubin Nautiyal, Who Khuda by Javeed Ali and Phir Se Dil Toota by Vishal Mishra, among others.

The movie revolves around two married strangers (Gulshan Devaiah and Saiyami Kher) who develop an unlikely friendship after bumping into each other a couple of times in a metro in Hyderabad. Throughout the movie, the two strangers share jokes, confess their deepest fears and dish out wonderful poetry. What makes it relatable is the fact that both Saiyami Kher and Gulshan Devaiah's characters are middle-class people who have achieved nothing extraordinary in life and are, in fact, struggling to survive. These 'hurting' friends help each other heal. 8 A.M. Metro opens discussions around mental health, suicide, social anxiety and many other such issues but in an unusual manner. It also makes you wonder if two people of the opposite sex, with kids and spouses, can be friends. Can't they be acquaintances who lend an ear to each other? Why should society judge them?

Director Raj R said, “I am happy to collaborate with ZEE5 for the World Digital Premiere of 8 A.M. Metro, a film which is special to all of us. This film saw the coming together of too many special people like Gulzar saab, Kausar Muni, Shruti Bhatnagar, Mark Robin, Gulshan Devaiah, Saiyami Kher to name a few and for their hard work and passion, I insist that people watch the film on ZEE5 as it is streaming for free. One thing I can assure is that this film will make you question a lot of things and somewhere, it may also heal you. So, watch it please”.

Actor Gulshan Devaiah said, “I absolutely wept after reading the script for 8 A.M. Metro. It moved me in ways I didn’t expect. I am so happy that this film is a part of my career. I’d say this is the most emotional part I’ve played so far. The poetry by Gulzar, lyrics by Kausar Munir and the music by Mark K Robin all beautifully fit into the screenplay by Raj R. It’s a sensitive film about topics like mental health, loneliness, poetry, books, art, literature and much more. I’d say it’s not a romance but a romantic film. It’s also a love letter by the director Raj R to his city of Hyderabad. I hope that many more people watch this poetic film”

Actor Saiyami Kher said, “I am a huge fan of Gulzar saab so to be able to narrate his poetry means a whole lot to me. I loved playing Iravati as along with my character, I think I too evolved as a person and that is special. Also, it was creatively so fulfilling to work with such a brilliant set of actors and creators including my director Raj R and co-actor Gulshan Devaiah. For people who haven’t watched 8 A.M. Metro yet, I insist that you’ll watch it now on ZEE5 as this film will give you a lot to ponder over and it will feel like a warm hug on a difficult day”.  

Stream ‘8 A.M. Metro’ for free now, exclusively on ZEE5!