Actor Shaalien Malhotra is stepping behind the camera for the first time with Seven and a Half Dates, a romantic musical web series co-directed with Suyyash Rai and produced under Luck Films. Billed as India's first musical web series, the show stars Karan Wahi and Surbhi Jyoti and premieres on the Novice Records YouTube channel on May 24, 2026.
The series features eight episodes, each with an original song integrated into the narrative. There are no remixes or cover versions. The story follows two opposites matched by mistake, where an awkward beginning deepens into something real, tested by fear, timing, and silence.
The project marks several firsts: a directorial debut for both Malhotra and Rai, the first web series for Luck Films, and the first web series release for music label Novice Records.
Explaining his choice to make a romance, Malhotra said, "I am a hardcore romantic. I am a classic romantic guy who believes deeply in love stories and fantasies. We have grown up in Shah Rukh's era; we are bound to feel romance."
On the decision to release on YouTube rather than a subscription platform, he added, "YouTube is entirely universal. Often, a premium web show is available in India but delayed or unavailable abroad. No such geographical limitations exist on YouTube. It is completely free to the end consumer."
Seven and a Half Dates premieres on May 24, one day before Malhotra's birthday.
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