Mumbai: Ajay Devgn’s Singham Again and Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 are releasing on the same date, November 1. The films are vying for the same release date. The highly anticipated Diwali box office clash between the two most awaited films has taken a dramatic turn when T-Series, the producers of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, approached the Competition Commission of India (CCI), alleging unfair practices by the makers of the Rohit Shetty directorial. T-series has requested the CCI intervene in the screen allocation dispute. T-series is asking for 50-50% split for the two films, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again.
As per sources from idianexpress.com, PVR Pictures is the distributer of the Rohit shetty directed movie, Singham Again. PVR has allocated over 60% shows in PVR Inox theaters to Singham Again. And few single-screen theaters have been asked all shows to feature Singham Again. Amidst this, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 got only early morning slots with some allowed screen. Due to which, T-series has petitioned the Competition Commission of India (CCI), the regulatory body who is responsible for promoting economic growth and consumer welfare through healthy competition, to look into the screen allocation matter.
This is not the first time any highly anticipated Bollywood movies are vying for the same release date. In 2012, Ajay Devgn starrer Son Of Sardaar faced a similar release date issue during its clash with Yash Chopra’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan, on Diwali. Reportedly Ajay approached the CCI to intervene into the screen allocation issue.
Regarding this matter, film producer and film business expert Girish Johar said that, “Life has come full circle for Ajay Devgn. I remember his company filed a complaint against Jab Tak Hai Jaan, his film Son Of Sardaar was releasing in a similar manner (in 2012).”
Talking about the film clash, he added, “The clash is nothing new in the industry. It’s been ages since we’ve seen films clashing on big weekends and festivals. The point here is that it all depends on demand and supply. By and large, we have multiplexes that do flexible programming. So one may use their might on the first two days, but thereafter it’s the content. Multiplexes automatically change their shows if the other film is not doing well.”
Reportedly there has been no official statement from Rohit shetty or the Singham Again team regarding this controversy.
