K.G.F. Chapter 2 (dubbed) has started off like a hurricane. The first day has reportedly closed at Rs. 52-53 crore — and this without the Hindi dubbed version having been released optimally in Nizam, Mysore, Tamil Nadu and Kerala circuits. Had the Hindi dubbed version been released like any other Hindi film in the aforementioned South circuits, the first day’s net collection total would’ve been in the region of Rs. 60 crore! The public reports match the initial collections. That is to say, collections are not going to drop down anytime soon as the word of mouth for the K.G.F. sequel is outstanding.
So then, what happens to the films slated for release in the next two weeks? Will there be enough number of multiplexes and single-screen cinemas to accommodate Jersey next week, and Runway 34 and Heropanti 2 on 29th April? Or will one or more of the three forthcoming films have to be postponed? For those who came in late, let it be mentioned here that Jersey has already been postponed twice. It was first scheduled to hit the screens on December 31 last year but had to be indefinitely postponed because the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus had raised its ugly head then and was on the verge of spreading rapidly. The decision to postpone the release of Jersey last year was good because soon after the announcement of postponement, cinemas in various states started to shut down indefinitely on the orders of the different state governments. Jersey was postponed once again barely four days before its new scheduled date (14th April) because the almost unprecedented craze for the other release of that week, K.G.F. Chapter 2, threatened to crush it (Jersey) under its heavy weight. However, this time over, the producers of Jersey announced the new release date, right while declaring that it wouldn’t come on 14th April. The Shahid Kapoor starrer, remake of the Telugu hit of the same name, was now scheduled to release a week later — on 22nd April.
The question which begs answers is: will Jersey be able to get the desired number of shows in multiplexes next week, and will it find enough single-screen cinemas for itself? That’s not all. What will happen to the showcasing of Runway 34 and Heropanti 2 on 29th April? One needs to answer the second question in three eventualities: if Jersey releases on 22nd April and is appreciated by the audience, if Jersey releases on 22nd April but, God forbid, does not find too many takers among the paying public, and if Jersey is postponed once again and hence does not release on 22nd.
Opinion is divided. Kamal Gianchandani, CEO of PVR Pictures Ltd., says, “All the three forthcoming films will be accommodated in the multiplexes easily but getting single-screen cinemas will be a fight for the 22nd release (Jersey).” He adds, “For the two new films of 29th April, the position will no doubt be tight but everything will fall into place. I think, the releases of 29th will get accommodated in single-screen cinemas too.” Gianchandani concludes, “Let me add here that in my opinion, Jersey should not move from its date of 22nd.”
“All the three forthcoming films will be accommodated in the multiplexes easily but getting single-screen cinemas will be a fight for the 22nd release (Jersey).”
Manoj Desai, director, Gaiety-Galaxy and Maratha Mandir cinemas of Bombay, says, “I don’t see a problem for the 29th April releases as by then, the showcasing position will not be as tight as it is today. But Jersey will definitely find it difficult to get shows and single-screen cinemas next week. The producers and distributors of Jersey need to rethink their release plans.” West Bengal distributor Satadeep Saha says with finality, “According to me, Heropanti 2 needs to be postponed, looking to the extremely tight situation.” However, Ashutosh Agarwal of Starworld chain of multiplexes in Uttar Pradesh opines, “Personally, I feel, all the forthcoming releases of the next two weeks should continue with their plans, they don’t need to be postponed. Every film has its own audience and finds its own space. Any film which has substance and a tight script will work, notwithstanding the oppositions.” Agarwal further reasons, “All the three big films will get accommodated. They may not get the exact showcasing they deserve but it will be in manageable limits. Show sharing is and will always remain the trend in the programming world of cinemas.”
“Personally, I feel, all the forthcoming releases of the next two weeks should continue with their plans, they don’t need to be postponed. Every film has its own audience and finds its own space…”
Leading Delhi-U.P. exhibitor Brijesh Tandon is forthright when he says, “The release of Jersey needs to be immediately postponed. What’s more, one of the two films of 29th April also needs to be shifted ahead.” Bihar exhibitor Vishek Chauhan goes deeper into the gravity of the situation when he reasons, “Jersey won’t find a good enough window and hence it would be suicidal for the producers to release it on 22nd April.” About the two releases of 29th April, Chauhan shares, “Heropanti 2 will be affected more than Runway 34 because it seems to be made for the same target audience as K.G.F. Chapter 2 (read masses). Runway 34 seems to be a niche urban film and hence can and should release on 29th April. In fact, it will find its audience as it seems to be very different from the K.G.F. sequel.” Rajasthan exhibitor-distributor Sunil Bansal is brief in his comment when he remarks, “I don’t think, there’s a need for any of the three films to be postponed.”
“Jersey won’t find a good enough window and hence it would be suicidal for the producers to release it on 22nd April.”
An exhibitor wishing to remain anonymous held a brief for the release of Jersey on 22nd April when he said, “The number of shows available to Jersey on 22nd April may not be optimum but it will be good enough because you can’t expect K.G.F. Chapter 2 to keep on going as strong as it was on the first day, all through the week. Even yesterday (first day), the collections of K.G.F. Chapter 2 suggest that on an average, it recorded 80-85% occupancy. Therefore, a decent number of shows will be available to Jersey from next week. Yes, Jersey may not get as many single-screen cinemas as it would’ve deserved but if I know the mindset of the producers of Jersey correctly, they would not have targeted single-screen cinemas in smaller centres even in normal circumstances. So why should anyone talk about Jersey being postponed?” The exhibitor continues, “However, I definitely see a problem in the Eid week (from 29th April). If Jersey releases on 22nd and, God forbid, does not do well, the situation for Runway 34 and Heropanti 2 on 29th April will be very comfortable. But if Jersey appeals to the audience, the showcasing of the releases of 29th will be extremely difficult. No cinema, repeat, no cinema would like to discontinue K.G.F. Chapter 2 or reduce its shows drastically in the Eid week because every exhibitor would expect the Muslim population to throng to the cinemas in the Eid week for the mass-appealing film. Hence, the problem will arise in the Eid week for the two new Eid releases.”
“No cinema, repeat, no cinema would like to discontinue K.G.F. Chapter 2 or reduce its shows drastically in the Eid week because every exhibitor would expect the Muslim population to throng to the cinemas in the Eid week for the mass-appealing film. Hence, the problem will arise in the Eid week for the two new Eid releases.”
Obviously, there are as many opinions as there are trade people trying to shed light on the expected showcasing position on 22nd April and 29th April. Only time will tell whether any of the three films slated to release in the next two weeks will shift ahead or not.