CLASH OF THE TITLES
Lagaan and Gadar released on the same day and became hits; we ask experts if two clashing films can do as well even today
In 2001, on June 15, when Lagaan and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha released on the same day, not many expected both the films to become runaway hits. Since then, we haven’t seen several examples of two films releasing on the same date and doing well. Last year, ear, Dilwale didn’t live up to the audience’s expectations when it released alongside Bajirao Mastani. This year, Mohenjo Daro, which released with Rustom, met with the same fate.
DIVIDED ATTENTION
“With increased competition, and the division of shows, it won’t be easy for us to see the Lagaan-Gadar case repeat itself. In such a scenario, even a slightly negative report can badly affect a film,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh
Film-maker Sanjay Gupta, whose next movie, Kaabil, starring Hrithik Roshan, is scheduled to clash with Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees (on January 26), insists, “A clash is never good.”
Still, a number of films are set to clash in the coming months. Baar Baar Dekho will release with Freaky Ali (on September 9), Pink with Raaz Reboot (on September 16), Ae Dil Hai Mushkil with Shivaay (on October 28), Dear Zindagi with Kahaani 2 (on November 25), Jolly LLB 2 withwiith Raabta (on FebruarFebruary 10),10)) and Jagga Jasoos withwi NoorNo (on April 7). “It doesn’t make sense tot fight for a regular week with only Sunday as the holiday. It is only going to spoil the m market for both the parties,”p adds Sanjay. TaranTa feels that clashes mustmu be avoided, as most makersma are already walkingwa a tightrope. “Today’sTTo audiences have manyma other options for entertainment,ent including TV,TV Internet, etc,” he says.
CONTENTC IS KING
So, how do makers ensure their films do better than the other releases?r Experts say it alla boils down to the co content. “The factors that determinedet the fate of a film are not just entirely star-stadependent. Ultimately, the story of a film will take it ahead, not a holiday or a festival period,” says exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi.
However, Sanjay doesn’t understand the rush for a ‘holiday release’. “What’s the obsession with it? All of us have watched films starring Amitabh Bachchan without thinking about whether it is a ‘holiday release’ or not,” says the film-maker.