Reliance Entertainment will distribute the critically acclaimed period drama “Hamnet” across India in February 2026, as the film gains momentum during awards season.

Based on Maggie O’ Farrell’s book, the film follows William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), who is in the midst of writing his latest play. He finds love with Agnes (Jessie Buckley) but also experiences grief when his young son, Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe), succumbs to the plague. The story of love, loss and grief lead to him writing his tragedy “Hamlet.” Chloe Zhao directed the feature, with Sam Mendes and Steven Spielberg serving as producers.

“’Hamnet’ marks Zhao’s first feature since her ambitious Marvel stumble in 2021 (a pivot that alienated some who preferred her magic-hour indie dramas), raising once again that eternal question, ‘To be or not to be,’ just not in the conventional sense. In her hands, Shakespeare’s indelible line doesn’t represent a contemplation of suicide so much as what it means to be — to fully embrace life, when the inevitability of death is enough to paralyze one into a self-protective stupor. Ultimately, the filmmaker invites the world to feel loss in a new way, and in letting go, liberates something fundamental in all of us,” wrote Peter Debruge, reviewing the film for Variety.

The film has earned 11 nominations at the Critics Choice Awards and six Golden Globe nominations, establishing itself as a major contender in this year’s awards race.

“We are thrilled to bring ‘Hamnet’ to audiences in India,” said Dhruv Sinha, head of international business at Reliance Entertainment. “The film has resonated deeply with global viewers and critics alike, and its extraordinary recognition at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes is a testament to its emotional power and artistic brilliance. Reliance Entertainment is committed to delivering world-class cinema to Indian audiences, and ‘Hamnet’ is a shining example of storytelling that transcends borders.”