NO CLASH TO RAKE IN MORE CASH

Release dates of films such as Baadshaho, Madaari and MS Dhoni: The Untold Story altered to avoid box office clash

After months of hard work, no filmmaker wants another film to eat into his or her project’s business when it hits theatres. Hence, they’re ready to adjust release dates. As a result, Ajay Devgn-starrer Baadshaho won’t clash with Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees and Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil at the box office. This, after Ajay and SRK’s films (Son of Sardaar and Jab Tak Hai Jaan) clashed in 2012, after none shifted the date, and a legal battle ensued. There is buzz that Rakesh Roshan met SRK to discuss their films’ clash on January 26 next year. Roshan, however, says they only met for dinner.

We also hear that Sushant Singh Rajput’s MS Dhoni: The Untold Story has been pushed to Sep 30 to avoid releasing alongside Sonakshi Sinha’s Akira (Sep 2). So was Irrfan’s film, Madaari, to avoid clash with Great Grand Masti.

Trade analyst Atul Mohan, however, says this doesn’t always work out. “It depends on the equation filmmakers share. Many a times, no one’s ready to budge. Saawariya and Om Shanti Om released together in 2007 and Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani clashed in 2015,” he says.

Sometimes, it’s because no one gives up a festive slot. Film distributor Rajesh Thadani says, “There are only 52 weeks in a year and everyone wants holidays. So, a compromise becomes impossible.”

Then, there are filmmakers like Ashutosh Gowarikar who don’t care about a clash. “(Hit films) Lagaan and Gadar released the same day in 2001. Lagaan was my film,” he says, hoping that his film, Mohenjo Daro, and Akshay Kumar’s Rustom both prove to be “blockbusters” when they clash on August 12. Also, trade analyst Omar Qureshi warns, “Delaying the release increases the chances of a film being leaked.”

Meanwhile, Hollywood films, too, are known to shift their release in India to avoid a clash with a Bollywood blockbuster. Ice Age: Collision Course released earlier to avoid clash with Rajinikanth’s upcoming Kabali. Steven Spielberg’s The BFG’s release date was pushed because of Salman Khan’s Sultan releasing at the same time. Earlier this year, The Jungle Book also avoided a clash with SRK’s Fan.

Ajay Devgn’s Baadshaho has been pushed to avoid clash with SRK’s Raees and Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil Ice Age: Collision Course released earlier to avoid clash with Rajinikanth’s upcoming film, Kabali

PHOTO: JITU SAVLANI Sushant Singh Rajput’s film was to clash with Sonakshi Sinha’s next