Rajkummar Rao’s ‘Shahid’ streams online after 13‑year gap

The film "Shahid", a biographical drama starring Rajkummar Rao that premiered in 2013, has been added to streaming platforms for the first time after a 13‑year absence from digital distribution. The movie, directed by Hansal Mehta and based on the life of lawyer and human‑rights activist Shahid Azmi, earned critical acclaim and several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actor for Rao. Its arrival on streaming services was noted by writer‑editor Apurva Asrani, who questioned the timing of the release, asking “Why now?” in a recent commentary, reflecting industry curiosity about the decision. The new availability opens the film to a broader audience and may revive discussions about its themes of justice and secularism.