Why has this week’s Avatar: Fire And Ash not had a saturated release?

– It is because of DHURANDHAR which did phenomenally well in its second week (December 12 to 18). Looking at the extraordinary collections of DHURANDHAR, its distributors did not permit multiplexes to reduce their shows beyond a certain point. The multiplexes, elated by the collections, happily obliged. The distributors of DHURANDHAR also did not allow single-screen cinemas to share shows with AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. Rather than discontinue DHURANDHAR, the single-screen cinemas decided to forgo AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. After all, DHURANDHAR is the first film in cinematic history to collect more in its second week than its first week, after an earth-shattering first week!

Why has the release of Ikkis been shifted once again — from 25th December to 1st January, 2026? Generally speaking, don’t multiple postponements adversely affect the film in question?

– IKKIS has been postponed by a week so as to not clash with the star-cast TU MERI MAIN TERA MAIN TERA TU MERI. Multiple postponements adversely affect a film if it is a big star-cast film. Since IKKIS stars an almost new hero (Agastya Nanda), the second postponement will not adversely affect it. Rather, lack of opposition in its week of release will benefit it.

How would you describe year 2025 from the box-office point of view?

– Since DHURANDHAR is such a massive blockbuster, the box-office earnings in year 2025 will be noteworthy. This one film has tilted the scales positively.

How much business will Dhurandhar do in India?

 – It is too early to predict its business. The film seems to have gained so much momentum that it is poised to become a huge blockbuster. One should not be surprised if the second week’s collections are the same as the first week’s — or maybe, even more! This may be unprecedented for a film which netted outstanding collections in the first week itself. One has seen films starting slow and then going on to do better business in the second week, but for a film, which performed like a blockbuster in the first week, to continue in its second week in the same way is unbelievable!

Was the business of Tere Ishk Mein in its second week affected due to the opening of Dhurandhar?

 – Yes, the second week’s performance of TERE ISHK MEIN was adversely affected because of the strong opposition of DHURANDHAR. A little-known fact is that the shows of TERE ISHK MEIN were reduced from Saturday/Sunday in the multiplexes because DHURANDHAR was doing outstanding business in its first week. Even the producers and distributors of TERE ISHK MEIN may not be aware that the shows of their film were reduced to maximise returns on DHURANDHAR. And this, in spite of TERE ISHK MEIN doing quite well in the second week. The multiplexes realised that the revenues from DHURANDHAR would be four or five times those of TERE ISHK MEIN per day. Frankly, that’s the way multiplexes operate. When a storm like DHURANDHAR comes, no multiplex wants to adhere to principles. Make hay while the sun shines seems to be the underlying philosophy of the multiplexes.     

Does Dhurandhar have to fear Hollywood’s Avatar: Fire And Ash next week?

– This time, it could be Hollywood’s blockbuster franchise film, AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH, which has to fear a Bollywood film even though it (the Bollywood film) would be in its third week.     

Why were the KDMs of Dhurandhar to cinemas delivered so late? Couldn’t this have been avoided?

 – The delays happened because the maker (Aditya Dhar) took more time than expected to edit the first part. The confusion and time-consuming process happened as the film is in two parts. Of course, this should have been avoided, especially because the release date had been finalised many months ago.        

What do you think of Ranveer Singh’s imitation (at IFFI in Goa) of Rishab Shetty in Kantara A Legend: Chapter 1? Why did he apologise thereafter?

 – Ranveer Singh did not imitate Rishab Shetty in a derogatory manner at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. It was done in praise of the actor more than anything else. Realising that his act had not gone down well with the South actor’s fans and some others on social media, Ranveer thought it best to apologise. The apology came a day after the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) submitted a complaint to the Panaji police in Goa against Ranveer Singh, alleging that he had insulted Goddess Chamunda Devi by imitating Rishab Shetty’s KANTARA act on stage.   

What will happen to the shows in multiplexes and single-screen cinemas, which had been allotted to Akhanda 2 today?

– As the release of AKHANDA 2 (Telugu and all the dubbed versions) stands postponed, the cinemas will have to allocate those shows to either DHURANDHAR (releasing today) or a running film like TERE ISHK MEIN. This would involve unnecessary tension for the exhibitors.     

Why was the opening for Tere Ishk Mein this week so good? After all, it is a solo Dhanush starrer!

– Given its cast, TERE ISHK MEIN was never meant to open big. But the love for its trailer translated into box-office collections in the shows after the initial shows (till 12 noon) because the public reports were positive.        

What are the inside reports of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar?

 – The film is said to be extremely engaging. The general opinion is that the gruesome violence in the film does not hurt the sensibilities of the viewers when viewed as part of the entire film.

Why did Dharmendra’s family not reveal the news of his demise before they took the body to the cremation ground?

– Simply because the family wanted the last rites to be performed without the public glare. Announcing the news of his demise would’ve resulted in the media persons reaching the cremation ground with cameras. This was avoided because the family had refrained from making the news public before going to the cremation ground. Even after that, the news spread on its own.      

What did you think of the trailer of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar?

 – Very impressive but also very gruesome. DHURANDHAR is based on real-life incidents and is said to be very authentic. Aditya Dhar, who is known for keeping it as close to reality as possible, should seriously consider reducing the scenes of torture so as to not alienate the potential ladies audience who are likely to find such scenes extremely difficult to watch on screen. Of course, the film has yet to be seen by the Central Board of Film Certification.

Why was 120 Bahadur released in very select cinemas just for a day on 18th November and then released widely today (21st)? Did it help boost the film’s initial today?

– 120 BAHADUR is the story of 120 brave Indian soldiers who saved the Rezang La mountain pass in India from Chinese invasion. Since 18th November is considered as the Rezang La Day, the film’s producers did a token release in about 30 cinemas across India on 18th (which was a Tuesday). This was their way of honouring the war heroes. The release on 18th was just a token one, and hence did not help boost its start today, at least as evident from the advance booking.

When will the sequel to Nishaanchi be released?

– The producers have already released it online, bypassing the theatrical release. Since the first part bombed at the box-office, the sequel has been released directly on OTT (Amazon Prime Video).            

Why is a film like Ikkis, with a relatively new hero, hitting the screens in the Christmas week with a biggie like Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri?

– Not only are the producers of IKKIS taking a risk by releasing the film in opposition of TU MERI MAIN TERA MAIN TERA TU MERI, but they are also playing with fire by bringing it just a week after the third film in the hit AVATAR franchise of Hollywood, viz. AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH.

What could the reason for the ordinary opening of De De Pyaar De 2 today be?

 – Some sequels have what is called brand value while some others don’t have it. Clearly, DE DE PYAAR DE did not have much of a recall/brand value. If you remember, the first part did not even net Rs. 100 crore although it had fallen short of the figure by a few lakhs only. Also, the bomb blast earlier this week in Delhi has, to an extent, reduced the public’s enthusiasm to go to the cinemas. The excitement of an outing has been replaced by fear.     

What would you say to the media announcing earlier this week that Dharmendra was dead when he was actually not?

– The announcement was in bad taste. Television news channels do it for TRPs while online portals/websites do it for increasing traffic. In a quest to be the first to report, the television channels and online portals committed blunders which could be construed as unpardonable by purists.            

What is so special in Gujarati film Laalo: Krishna Sada Sahaayate that its collections picked up by 50 times after 20 days? How much are its lifetime net collections expected to be?

 – For a film which started (on 10th October) with collections of a few lakh rupees, LAALO: KRISHNA SADA SAHAAYATE has already netted Rs. 13 crore in 4 weeks. This is the kind of jump in collections it has experienced. The film is expected to become the biggest blockbuster of Gujarati cinema ever! The film underlines the presence of God and the feeling that God helps people in need. This reaffirmation in the presence of God has connected so beautifully with the audience that it has become a cult film!   

What is likely to be the business of Assamese film Roi Roi Binale? Your article five days back mentioned that it would probably become the biggest Assamese blockbuster.

– It has already become the biggest ever Assamese blockbuster. For, the first week’s collections are more than the lifetime collections of the previous biggest blockbuster, SRI RAGHUPATI (2023)!        

Why has Yash Raj Films’ Alpha been postponed?

– According to the producers, the film’s visual effects work is taking longer than anticipated. Hence the film’s release has been postponed from 25th December to 17th April, 2026. According to industry know-alls, YRF did not want its film to be sandwiched between AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH (due for release on 19th December) and TU MERI MAIN TERA MAIN TERA TU MERI (slated for release on 2nd January, 2026).   

Does the success of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat suggest that Harshvardhan Rane has been accepted as a solo hero?

– It sure does mean that! Harshvardhan Rane has been loved by the audience for his portrayal of the brooding lover in the tragic love story. He should now very smartly choose his films, to take advantage of the public’s love for him.        

Besides Dhurandhar, is there no excitement around any other new film this year?

 – Other than for DHURANDHAR, there is marked excitement around at least four films due for release in the last two months of this year. They are HAQ, IKKIS, DE DE PYAAR DE 2 and TERE ISHK MEIN. And, of course, there’s Hollywood’s AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH.

What are the reports of Zubeen Garg’s Assamese film, Roi Roi Binale, released today?

– ROI ROI BINALE is carrying extraordinary reports and initial indications suggest that it may turn out to be the highest-grossing Assamese film. The sentiments attached to the film are unprecedented in view of the fact that it is the last film of the late singer-actor.     

Is it right to say that none of the Diwali releases this year performed as Diwali releases usually do?

 – It is right to say so, but one must not forget that we have been used to films of either of the three Khans or Akshay Kumar or Ajay Devgan or Ranbir Kapoor releasing on Diwali. This year, Diwali did not see the release of a film starring any of these actors. Hence the box-office performance had to be lower than the performance we are used to seeing in the festive week. Surely, we couldn’t have expected THAMMA or EK DEEWANE KI DEEWANIYAT to perform on the first day or in the first weekend how films of the aforementioned A-listers would.    

Why is there no major new film releasing on 31st October? After all, there were no big-budget or top star cast films which released on Diwali, so why didn’t any producer plan his release in the following week?

– Just one of those cases where there’s no real reason. Sometimes, things just happen!        

What’s the heat like for Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar?

– The heat is building up fast… and a lot of it, one must add.  

Why are the two Diwali releases — Thamma and Deewaniyat — not being released on 20th October instead of 21st?

 – Box-office collections on the day of Diwali (Laxmi Pooja) are generally adversely affected. Therefore, many producers avoid the Diwali day (20th October this year) and release their films a day later.  

Can’t something be done about the tug-of-war for shows and screens, that happens whenever two star-cast films are slated for release in the same week?

– This problem needs to be tackled at the industry level. Some broad formula of screen-sharing and show-sharing needs to be arrived at if the trade is to function in a healthy manner. Film producers and distributors seem to have forgotten two things: the philosophy of live and let live; and the philosophy of water finding its own level.        

What exactly has changed from the box-office point of view after COVID-19?

– After COVID-19, the business of hit films has grown while that of flop films has come down markedly.