Padmavati’s release row to have big effect on business in Bollywood
By now, it’s a known fact that Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus, Padmavati won’t keep its date with the December 1 weekend. In a statement, Viacom18, the studio backing the film, announced that the film’s release date has been voluntarily deferred and the “revised release date” will be announced in “due course.”
What’s interesting is that even as Padmavati looks for a new release, the film’s postponement is likely to see a cascading effect on the release schedule of other films, besides spelling big losses for exhibitors as well as distributors. “Let’s see what the makers do because December is out of question now as the Salman Khanstarrer Tiger Zinda Hai is slated to release in the Christmas weekend. It will be interesting to see how they go about it as January also looks quite packed,” says trade analyst Amod Mehra.
Experts feel that since Padmavati has been made on a humongous budget — reportedly around ₹180 crore — it will require a “clear, long run minus any major competition” at the box office. “And even if there is a good film a week ahead or after Padmavati, it will affect its business,” says trade expert Komal Nahta.
Whatever new release date Padmavati makers choose, the entire “strategy will have to be reworked” now, say experts. “Nowadays, a release date is very critical. That’s why once you miss out on a big release date then your entire strategy becomes irrelevant. Now Padmavati makers have to come up with a new plan altogether,” says Mehra.
Furthermore, experts opine that in such a scenario, a “joint call” should be taken by makers of all the major films that are scheduled to release in the coming weeks. “A combined decision is the need of the hour so that business of none of the films get affected,” says distributor Akshaye Rathi.