With three films slated for release on Independence Day, what do you envisage?

– Fireworks at the box-office on 15th August, of course. But before that, nightmare for exhibitors in trying to accommodate all the three films. And an equally nightmarish time for the distributors of the three films in trying to get the best shows for their films.

When will Sunny Deol release Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas now?

– On 20th September.

Why has Dinesh Vijan’s Arjun Patiala been postponed by a week?

– It was to release on 19th July with PAL PAL DIL KE PAAS and THE LION KING. But despite PAL PAL DIL KE PAAS being postpon­ed, the makers of ARJUN PATIALA want to steer clear of the date because THE LION KING may prove to be a formidable opposition. Al­though THE LION KING was always scheduled to hit the screens on 19th July, the producers of ARJUN PATI­ALA now feel, it would not be advi­sable to take on THE LION KING.

Will Kabir Singh open to good houses?

– It should open to decent houses. Although Shahid Kapoor is not known to be an ‘initial’ star, the curiosity and excitement among the public for his KABIR SINGH are high.

Why has Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas been postponed?

– Its shooting is still remaining to be done. The film has gotten delayed because Sunny Deol was busy through April and May with the general elections as he was contesting from Gurdaspur con­stituency in Punjab.

What did you think of the teaser of Saaho?– The film appears to be very stylish and thrilling.

Barely had Bharat been released this Eid than Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced that his Salman starrer, Inshallah, would come on Eid next year. Comment.

– Even before he announced the release date officially, it was known – although unofficially – in trade circles that INSHALLAH would come on Eid next year.

Is it true that Anees Bazmee’s Pagalpanti has been preponed?

– Yes, it will release on 8th November now. Only a few days’ shooting remains to be done to complete the film.

People were raving so much about Korean film Ode To My Father. Then what happened to its Hindi adaptation, Bharat?

– Perhaps, lost in translation. Or rather, adaptation!

Will Jabariya Jodi be postponed, now that Super 30 is releasing on 12th July?

– Probably yes. One has to wait and watch but that seems likely. After all, while SUPER 30 stars Hri­thik Roshan, JABARIYA JODI has Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra in the cast.

What is the charm in announcing release dates so many months in ad­vance when they could change closer to the announced dates?

– You are right. This phase of announcing the release dates mon- ths in advance shall also pass. It’s afad and it’s away of warding off competition by producers of big films.

Going through your review of India’s Most Wanted last week, I wondered how a studio like Fox Star Studios could greenlight such a half-baked script? I couldn’t get over the fact that the actor playing the title role had barely 5 min­utes of screen time!

– It is indeed shocking how Fox passed this script. Every film of a studio cannot be a hit but some­ times, there’s loss in translation while at other times, the theme may not work but in the case of INDIA’S MOST WANTED, the script was worth nothing, which makes one actually wonder on what basis must a studio like Fox have given the green signal. Would you believe it if I told you that the name of the actor playing the title role is not even mentioned in the opening or closi­ng titles of the film?!?

Why did last week’s De De Pyaar De not take a flying start, considering that its trailer was being praised be­fore the film’s release?

– It did not take a flying start because its music had not gained much in popularity. Since Ajay Devgan has an action hero’s image, his non-action films like DE DE PYAAR DE need the support of hit music to open big.

What’s the reason for the lacklustre initial of India’s Most Wanted this week?

– Its promotion was not upto the mark – both, qualitatively and quantitatively. The film doesn’t have any noteworthy songs. Also, Arjun Kapoor starrers have not been doing well in recent times and, therefore, the public would rather wait for reports to come before rushing to the cinemas to watch his solo starrer.

Has Sanjay Leela Bhansali post­poned the release of his Malaal?

– Yes, MALAAL will not release on 28th June, as scheduled. For that matter, Karan Johar’s DRIVE will also not come on 28th June as its release also has been postpon­ed.

What has been the response to the trailer of Kabir Singh?

– The youngsters have liked the trailer a lot. The film is a remake of Telugu hit ARJUN REDDY.

What films have been announced for release in the Independence Day weekend this year?

– MISSION MANGAL, BATLA HOUSE and SAAHO.

If I were to ask you for just one single reason why Student Of The Year 2 will not cross the business of the first part, what would it be?

– Lack of a worthwhile story or lack of superhit music. If the film had even one of the above two, it would’ve sailed through at the box-office.

Why has Ekta Kapoor postponed the release of Mental Hai Kya from 21st June to 26th July? Is it a right call she has taken?

– After the postponement of release of MENTAL HAI KYA, Hrit­hik Roshan has of his own volition opted to postpone the release of his SUPER 30 which was schedu­led to hit the screens on the same date, 26th July. So, there’s no clash now.

Will De De Pyaar De work among the family audiences?

– The trailer which the world is watching represents the first half of the film. The post-interval por­tion has family sentiments too, but that has not been revealed in the trailer. So, it should work among the families too.

Where will Avengers: Endgame stop in India?

– Perhaps, at Rs. 375-380 crore. Or a little more than that!

Is there enough craze for Student Of The Year 2 among the public to warrant a decent opening next week?

– The craze could have been more but there are some points which will go in the film’s favour. One, it is the sequel of a successful film. Secondly, it stars Tiger Shroff who is a heartthrob today. Thirdly, there’s some anticipation to see two new heroines in the film. Fourthly, the songs have been doing well. And, of course, the audience is hungry for a big-banner desi fare. There hasn’t been a single big-banner film after KALANK which released on 17th April.

Will Avengers: Endgame join the Rs. 400-crore club?

– At the rate at which it is going, AVENGERS: ENDGAME can cross the 400-crore mark. If it does, it will become only the third film to join the coveted club. The first was BAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION, the second was 2.0. Shockingly, all the three films are non-Hindi films although all are dubbed in Hindi.

What distinguishes a superstar from a star?

– Consistency in delivering commercial blockbusters over a long period of time. In other words, a superstar’s choice of films is better than a star’s. Talent, fan following etc., of course, also matter.

Can Avengers: Endgame join the 400-crore club in India?

– It jolly well can! Going by the phenomenal initial and the fabu­lous public reports, it is very possible for the film to net Rs. 400 crore-plus in India.

What kind of an opening is the trade expecting Bharat to take?

– Earth-shattering! The title val­ue of the film is immense. Plus, it stars Salman Khan and it will relea­se in the Eid week. Further, the first trailer has been very well-received.

Will Hindi film producers emulate the example of Avengers: Endgame and hold shows round the clock for their films too?

– It makes sense to hold shows round the clock only if the regular shows are house-full in advance at most places. If any Hindi film can generate the kind of advance booking as witnessed for AVENGERS: ENDGAME, it would be sensible to have shows round the clock.

Why aren’t there any major Hindi films releasing on 26th April and 3rd May?

– There’s no major Hindi film on 26th April because Hollywood film AVENGERS: ENDGAME will be re­leasing that day, not just in English but also dubbed in Hindi. As for 3rd May, producers probably did not want their film to be sandwiched between AVENGERS: ENDGAME and STUDENT OF THE YEAR 2 which will hit the screens on 10th May. Besides, the fear must be that the new AVENGERS film will hold sway for at least two weeks.

Is there craze for Sunny Deol’s son, Karan Deol, who is being introduced in Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas?

– Of course, there will be a lot of craze to see him. After all, he is Sunny Deol’s son and Dharmen­dra’s grandson. The craze will be evident once the promotion of PAL PAL DIL KE PAAS starts.

Why is Kangana Ranaut bad­ mouthing every star in the film industry?

– She is probably being misgui­ded. Frankly, she is so talented, she doesn’t need to waste her time in badmouthing people.