MUMBAI: Bollywood doesn’t seem to have learnt from its past mistakes. Having multiple releases on a Friday has always been dangerous, as it has affected the businesses of many films in the past. Be it the festive releases or otherwise.
At many occasions blame-game over sharing a common release date has ended in a rift between industry counterparts. The recent being between Ekta Kapoor – Shah Rukh Khan is a classic example. (Read STORY).
And in spite of this, the latest news is that Ekta Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn will lock horns next Independence Day and have their films released on the same day.
The films in question are ‘Badtameez Dil’ starring Emraan Hashmi and Kareena Kapoor Khan (Ekta Kapoor, produced by Dhrama Productions), ‘Gabbar’ starring Akshay Kumar and ‘Singham 2’ (Ajay Devgn, directed by Rohit Shetty).
While Akshay Kumar has said in several interviews that he isn’t bothered with multiple releases, Ekta Kapoor and Ajay Devgn may not have the same feeling for multiple releases. Ekta Kapoor was recently upset with Shah Rukh Khan’s Chennai Express eating into the box-office business of her ‘OUATIMD’ and Ajay Devgn had slapped a notice on Yash Raj Films for allegedly monopolizing screenspace last Diwali with ‘Son Of Sardaar’ not getting slots. (Read STORY).
Co-incidentally post ‘Chennai Express’ and ‘Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara’, Rohit Shetty and Ekta Kapoor will again be locking horns. Once bitten twice shy?
While its speculated that Ajay Devgn does not want to clash with his counterparts, one needs to see if someone from the trio is generous to make a shift.
In the current scenario, where each film is eyeing on reaching the ‘elite 100, 200 or the latest 300 or more club’ this surely looks like a remote possibility.
All the best Akshay Kumar, Ekta Kapoor and Ajay Devgn. Hope one does not see another rift emerging!