Trade experts SLAM multiple clashes in December, especially Dunki vs Salaar: “The clash was definitely avoidable. It seems like a DELIBERATE attempt”

A section of industry and trade has often requested filmmakers to avoid clashes between two films. But in December 2023, there’ll be as many as 3 clashes happening at the box office. December 1 will see the release of Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Animal and Vicky Kaushal’s biopic Sam Bahadur. On December 8, Sidharth Malhotra-starrer Yodha and Katrina Kaif-starrer Merry Christmas will try its luck. And December 22 will see the ultimate collision between Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki and Prabhas-starrer Salaar. As expected, trade experts a worried lot.

Trade veteran Taran Adarsh wondered, “You make films with so much hard work and you invest money in it. And then the filmmakers clash them with other films. If Animal does well, do you think the distributor will let go of the screens and shows? I can understand Animal releasing on December 1 and then straight away Dunki and Salaar releasing on December 22.”

He continued, “What’s the hurry? Your films will get sandwiched between these biggies. No matter how good your film is, Dunki aur Salaar aane ke baad saare screens unko dene padenge. These filmmakers are veterans and established names. Yet, they don’t understand.”

Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, remarked, “It’s definitely an avoidable situation. Everyone is being overconfident. Salaar is definitely the biggest disappointment in terms of the release date. It’s a big film and should have come on some other date. I am not saying anything about the content. The audience will make that decision. Salaar probably is another Rs. 1000 crore grosser but it won’t be able to realize its maximum potential due to the clash. The same applies to Dunki as well. As a result, it’s a loss for the producers and the industry at large.”

Trade analyst Atul Mohan exulted, “It is an avoidable situation. There’s no release in the first three weeks of January. I don’t see the reason for this mad rush.”

Girish Johar added to this point, “The month of May 2023, which was a holiday period, hardly had any releases. Even July had no release in the second week and third weeks. Our industry allowed solo releases for Hollywood films. Aur ab jhagad rahe hai!”

Raj Bansal, the owner of Entertainment Paradise in Jaipur, meanwhile, noted, “I find it funny when you say that Animal clashes with Sam Bahadur. You can say it’s releasing on the same day. Two big films pitted against each other is a clash. There will be a difference of eight times in the collections of Sam Bahadur and Animal!”

Girish Johar agreed, “Without taking away any credibility from Meghna Gulzar, the fact is that Animal will find an audience in single screens as well as multiplexes. Sam Bahadur, meanwhile, is a premium urban product and will also appeal to multiplexes. Hence, the film will remain the second choice for the moviegoers.”

As for Yodha vs Merry Christmas, Raj Bansal said, “Yodha will edge over Merry Christmas.” Regarding Dunki vs Salaar clash, he opined, “Definitely, it was avoidable. It seems like a deliberate attempt. Dunki was announced way back for Christmas 2023. Salaar, meanwhile, has changed its date so many times. Why do you want to come against a film made by a popular director and a star? The hero has given 2 Rs. 1000 crore films this year and the director has never failed.”

Taran Adarsh explains why producers opt for clashes, “I remember asking a filmmaker why he’s clashing his film with another film. He asked me, ‘Kya koi rule hai ki hum uss date pe nahin aa sakte? We are living in a democracy. A good film will work’. I have noticed this for years that everyone feels that their film is the best.”

He said that the clash will lead to fan wars and also lead to issues over show sharing, “The negativity is not going to start in December. It has already started. As the release date draws nearer, the distributors will be fighting for screens. The bigger multiplexes will oblige Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani. But Salaar is directed by Prashanth Neel of KGF fame and has hardcore action. It can’t be ignored. Prabhas’ last two films didn’t work but Prashanth and Hombale Films have a near 100% track record. So the question will be kis film ko kitne shows de.”

Raj Bansal gave an analysis, “Christmas is very big for foreign markets. Dunki is the story of immigrants. All those who stay abroad will be able to relate to it. Secondly, Shah Rukh Khan is a big draw all over the world. Prabhas, meanwhile, has a following among the Tamil and Telugu communities in foreign lands. In India, SRK is the king, except for South. Prabhas, meanwhile, is very strong down South. Salaar will dominate in the South while Dunki will dominate in the rest of the country.”

But he’s confident of Dunki’s prospects, “Rajkumar Hirani has not let us down and I am sure he’ll not fail this time either. With the love Shah Rukh Khan has got from the countrymen this year, he’s sure to get a hattrick of blockbusters”

Taran Adarsh sighed, “Ideally, a film’s release should be celebrated, especially when the year is about to end.” However, he signed off by saying, “Nevertheless, for the audience, it’s going to be a feast. Woh toh dono films dekhenge aur maze lenge! But the industry will be divided.”

Also Read: Christmas week to see a three-way clash between Dunki, Salaar, Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom; Warner Bros refuses to budge from December 21

from Featured Movie News | Featured Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama https://ift.tt/rIBayzq