NO CLASH; CEASEFIRE IN BOLLYWOOD

Release dates of many films have been changed to avert a box office clash; trade experts say this is an example to be followed

The year started with the much hyped box-office clash between Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees and Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil. Before the films released, it was speculated that the clash wouldn’t happen and it was just a case of ‘who would blink first?’ However, the big clash happened, and the rest of the year, too, seemed set for a series of box-office clashes, but that’s not happening now.

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s Shah Rukh Khan-Anushka Sharma starrer Jab Harry Met Sejal was initially clashing with actor Akshay Kumar’s Toilet - Ek Prem Katha, however it will now release a week earlier. Actor Kriti Sanon-starrer Bareilly ki Barfi was earlier supposed to release on July 21, but will now hit screens in August, thereby avoiding the clash with Tiger Shroff-starrer Munna Michael. The release date of Shraddha Kapoorstarrer Haseena-The Queen of Bombay has been pushed to July 28 to avoid clashing with Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif ’s film Jagga Jasoos that releases on July 14. Munna Michael director Sabbir Khan says, “Every filmmaker is just trying to ensure that they have a clear window for their film. They don’t want to step on each other’s toes.” Trade analyst Atul Mohan says, “The number of screens in India are not sufficient for two big budget films. What Shah Rukh and Akshay have done needs to be looked at as an example for everyone to follow,” he says.

Actor Shah Rukh says, “Our films do have a big capacity. It requires 3000-4000 screens but if my film clashes with another one, the capacity of my film gets reduced to say 2,000 screens. So, you end up running to low capacity. Business wise, that’s a [major] consideration.”

Shraddha Kapoor’s Haseena -The Queen Of Bombay will not release with Ranbir-Katrina’s Jagga Jasoos PHOTO: VIRAL BHAYANI

PHOTO: AFP The release date of Kriti Sanon’s Bareilly Ki Barfi has been changed to avoid a clash with Tiger Shroff’s Munna Michael PHOTO: RAAJESSH KASHYAP/HT PHOTO: AMAL KS/HT

PHOTO: VIRAL BHAYANI Jab Harry Met Sejal will now release on August 4 instead of clashing with Toilet - Ek Prem Katha on August 11

PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH

Sanjay Dutt’s biopic starring Ranbir Kapoor will not clash with Salman-Katrina’s Tiger Zinda Hai, as it will now hit screens next year in March, instead of December this year