THE DOMINO EFFECT!
As Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat grabs the January 25 weekend, trade insiders feel it has had a “ripple effect” on the release schedule of other Hindi films
It’s a well-known fact that Padmaavat (earlier titled Padmavati) has been mired in controversies ever since its first trailer came out in November last year. Although Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus missed out on its original December 1, 2017 release date, the film is now all set to hit theatres on January 25. KEEPING A DATE But what’s interesting is that Padmaavat’s “unexpected arrival” in the last week of this month is set to create a “ripple effect” on almost the entire release schedule in the first half of 2018. “There will be a lot of movements and some mess as well, in the coming days visà-vis release dates,” says a trade insider.
For starters, Akshay Kumar has moved Pad Man from the January 25 weekend to February 9 to avoid a clash with Padmaavat. “I can completely understand that his (Bhansali) need for this date is more than mine. So, I will just move ahead. It’s very essential for them to release their film as quickly as possible. I understand because the stake of their film is much higher than mine,” said Akshay.
Interestingly, earlier this month, amidst the Padmaavat controversy, Anushka Sharma-starrer Pari was also moved from February 9 to March 2. Also, the John Abraham and Diana Pentystarrer Parmanu — that was earlier set to release on December 8 — had earlier been moved to the February 23 weekend. Now, it’s scheduled to release on March 2.
Earlier this month, Aiyaary makers had also postponed the film to February 9 weekend because Pad Man and Padmaavat were originally set to clash (on January 25). In the latest instance, producer Bhushan Kumar too, has postponed Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety from February 9 to the February 23 weekend. MAKING ROOM Says Bhushan: “Shifting release dates surely inconveniences you but what can be done? As the film community, you have to show solidarity when a film gets caught in such unusual circumstances. Padmaavat team has been through a lot anyway. We need to be really considerate about each other.”
Talks are also rife that Sushant Singh Rajput and Jacqueline Fernandez starrer Drive, scheduled to release on March 2 will be postponed apparently due to some VFX work that’s yet to be completed. Trade experts concur with Bhushan. “Padmaavat has been mired in a kind of unforeseen circumstances. So, as a fraternity, it’s our moral duty and responsi bility to stand by the film. Ultimately, any loss vis-à-vis Padmaavat will also be a loss for the film industry. Every film should get a clear window at the box office,” says exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi.
Trade analyst Amod Mehra puts things in perspective: “No one should be surprised. This was going to happen. You shift around even in buses and trains when there are too many people around. Also, when a big, powerful entity enters the fray, the smaller ones have to move,” he says.