Two days back, news that Prashanth Neel’s Prabhas starrer, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, would clash with Rajkumar Hirani’s Shah Rukh Khan starrer, Dunki, on 22nd December took the industry by storm. The exhibition trade was the first to get the news when the distributor of Salaar made it clear to exhibitors across the country that his film was slated to release in the Christmas week. But even 40 hours later, the trade people are still seeking an answer to the question: Why did Hombale Films choose December 22 as the date of release for Salaar, given that the date had been blocked by the makers of Dunki many months back? Of course, there’s nothing to preclude one producer from releasing his film on a date finalised by another for his film, but producers of two big-ticket films invariably try to avoid a clash if they can help it. A face-off often works to the disadvantage of both the films which release simultaneously.
The release date of Salaar had already been cancelled earlier but nobody expected that the new date would be 22nd December.
Well, it is not as if producer Vijay Kiragandur wanted his Salaar to clash with Dunki just for the heck of it. But his guru, whom he consults for any and every important decision of his personal and professional life, opined that 22nd December would be an auspicious date for Salaar to hit the screens. Another date that was being considered was in January 2024 but the guru felt that the stars would favour the film if it came on 22nd December. That sealed it! Kiragandur, who never overlooks his guru’s words, announced 22nd December as the release date for Salaar in spite of the same date having been finalised, months ago, for Dunki.
While it would be interesting to see the two mega-budget and eagerly awaited films battle it out at the turnstiles after three months, the impending clash is already giving exhibitors sleepless nights. As it must be giving the cast and crew members of both the films, one is sure!
