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The big box office war in 2016
Many filmmakers dread a box-office clash of their films with other projects starring big names. But the likelihood of this happening is no longer rare in Bollywood. In fact, the coming few months will see quite a few box-office clashes. Reportedly, next year will start with the Kareena Kapoor Khan and Arjun Kapoor-starrer Ki And Ka clash with the Katrina Kaif and Aditya Roy Kapur- starrer Fitoor, as well as the Yami Gautam and Pulkit Samrat starrer Sanam Re on February 12. Even Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan will have a box-office clash with Raees and Sultan releasing on the same day in July. Towards the end of the year, there’s chance of a clash between Aamir Khan’s Dangal and Ranbir Kapoor’s next with filmmaker Ayan Mukerji .
Film exhibitor and distributor Akshaye Rathi says that history has proven on several occasions that two big-budget films can coexist at the box office. “It has happened in the past, and will happen in the future as well. I really don’t think one should make so much noise about it,” he adds.
However, while some actors have proven their mettle at the box office on multiple occasions, is it less beneficial for two big stars to release films on the same day? Trade expert Atul Mohan says, “Today, business is dependent on holidays. The working class is happier to spend money on those days. During holidays, the paying audience is already in a mood to spend, and cinema always tops the leisure and entertainment list. These days, the stakes are so high and big movies are so few that everyone wants to block the big holidays to recover maximum money.”