What did you think of the trailer of Dabangg 3?

– It has all that is needed to ensure a bumper initial for the film when it releases on 20th December.

Wouldn’t it have been better if Housefull 4 had been released on 27th October instead of 25th as the first two days (25th and 26th) are pre-Diwali days?

– HOUSEFULL 4 is a big-budgeted multi-starrer which can withstand the dull pre-Diwali days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been interacting with the film industry people quite often. No other PM has, perhaps, been so connected with the industry. Can you explain why?

– Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of his own admission, has said that the film people can influence minds like nobody else can. He realises the importance of films as being a great tool for creating perceptions, moulding opinions and influencing minds. And he wants to use the talent of the film people for nation-building.

Is there any chance of Saand Ki Aankh being postponed? Or will it release on Diwali? I am a small-town exhibitor and am confused because there are rumours in the trade to that effect.

– No, the rumour is baseless. Diwali week will see three releases including SAAND KI AANKH.

What kind of an opening do you expect Housefull 4 to take, on 25th October?

– Since 25th October is a pre-Diwali day, the opening of HOUSEFULL 4 cannot and should not be expected to be earth-shattering. But despite the dull pre-Diwali day, the opening day’s figure could go up to Rs. 25-crore-plus.

When will Salman Khan begin shooting for Radhe? He has already announced its release on Eid next year?

– RADHE will roll in the first week of November, as soon as Salman and Prabhu Deva are free from DABANGG 3. Of course, they will have to divide their time between the shooting of RADHE and the post-production work of DABANGG 3.

Will War become the biggest blockbuster of this year so far? In other words, will it do more business at the box-office than Kabir Singh?

– It has all chances of overtaking the net collections of KABIR SINGH (Rs. 280 crore). WAR has already netted Rs. 238.50 crore in the first nine-day week. This includes the collections of the dubbed Tamil and Telugu versions, besides the original Hindi version.

Can any film this year break the record of Kabir Singh?

To start with, WAR can. Besides, DABANGG 3 has the potential. It is slated for release on 20th December.

How will films sustain at the box-office, given the glut of releases in the coming weeks right till the year-end?

– The survival of the fittest – that’s the law of the jungle… and the box-office!

Did you expect this kind of a phenomenal initial for War on 2nd October?

– Of course, WAR was all set to open huge. Its trailers and songs had been adored by the public. The audience was waiting to watch two of the best-looking heroes together on screen. Since both are brilliant at action and dance, the public was waiting for this action, song-dance fare with bated breath. They gave it all their love on the national holiday for Gandhi Jayanti, when the film opened. So, the fact that it has become the highest-grossing film on the first day is not surprising at all.

Which film do you expect will open big in the coming weeks?

– HOUSEFULL 4, DABANGG 3 and GOOD NEWWZ this year.

What do you think of the similarity in the subjects of Bala and Ujda Chaman?

– This is not the first time, this is happening. JYOTI BANE JWALA and JWALAMUKHI had similar subjects. Both were released in 1980. THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH and 23RD MARCH 1931: SHAHEED were both historicals based on freedom fighter Bhagat Singh’s life, and they were released on the same day. SHAHEED-E-AZAM, another Bhagat Singh film, was released a week earlier. BALA and UJDA CHAMAN will be released in a gap of one week.

Will Ayushmann Khurrana’s fan base increase with the success of Dream Girl?

– Yes, it will, because DREAM GIRL is probably his first film to be working in single-screen cinemas and ‘B’ class centres too. He has so far been more of a multiplex hero but his latest film has changed that.

Is The Sky Is Pink an English film?

– Not at all. It’s a Hindi film with an English title, just like this week’s THE ZOYA FACTOR is! And the Diwali release, MADE IN CHINA, too.

Will there be any more changes in the release schedules of films due in October and November?

– Of course, changes in release schedules keep happening all the time. There may be more changes but as of now, there seems to be less possibility of a change in the months of October and November.

Why has this week’s Saaho taken an initial which is so phenomenal? After all, hero Prabhas is not a Hindi film hero.

– Prabhas may not be a Hindi film hero but his fan following after BAHUBALI and BAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION is immense. Girls and youngsters are crazy about him.

Do you think, Chhichhore will open well next week?

– Yes, the opening of CHHICHHORE will be very good next week as its trailers and songs have been loved by the public.

Will there be a tough fight between War and Syeraa Narasimha Reddy (dubbed) on 2nd October as far as screens are concerned?

– Yes, there will be a fight for screens between the two films. If WAR has two young heroes, a big canvas, and breathtaking action as also dances (hopefully), SYERAA… also has a big canvas, expectional action and is a historical.