In an exciting prelude to the much-anticipated Diwali movie releases, advance bookings for both “Singham Again” and “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” have been launched in select theaters, setting the stage for a thrilling box office showdown. Despite allegations lodged by the producers of “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) regarding unfair screen allocation practices by the makers of “Singham Again,” the battle for audience attention is well underway.
Remarkably, even before these films have graced cinema screens, sparks have started to fly. The complaint put forth by the Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 crew alleges that “Singham Again” is monopolizing screens. This conflict, however, hasn’t stopped the beginning of advance bookings, an essential factor in predicting the films’ financial success during the festive period.
“Singham Again,” directed by Rohit Shetty, seems to have a slight upper hand. With its advance bookings commencing on Tuesday morning, it amassed Rs 11.72 lakh by afternoon. Despite the short advance booking period, the film is projected to command a larger share of the screens, thanks in part to its distribution agreement with PVR-Inox, which intends to allocate a significant 60 percent of screen time to the film. The action-packed cop drama stars Ajay Devgn, alongside an impressive ensemble cast including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, and Tiger Shroff.
On the other side, “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3,” which started selling tickets a day earlier, reported Rs 12.83 lakh in advance collections the next afternoon. Although slightly ahead in initial collections, the ghostbuster film starring Kartik Aaryan has caught the attention due to the ongoing dispute. Anil Thadani, the film’s distributor, is advocating for an equitable screen sharing arrangement, currently set at a 55-45 ratio in favor of “Singham Again.”
Trade analyst Girish Wankhede provided insights into the situation, suggesting that the tussle over screen allocations, while potentially delaying bookings, actually helps larger releases capture the audience’s attention.
. Wankhede predicts a robust Rs 40-crore opening for “Singham Again” and estimates that “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” could see Rs 25-30 crore. Nonetheless, he emphasizes that the quality of the films could cause dynamics to shift dramatically, favoring the film that offers more appealing content.
Exhibitors are feeling the heat too. Manoj Desai, executive director of Gaiety-Galaxy, expressed concern over the delays in finalizing screen allocations. He lamented the restrictions that prevented them from opening advance bookings sooner. “During Diwali, a time synonymous with movie-going, being unable to start advance bookings due to screen allocation disputes has been damaging for us,” Desai shared.
Adding to this sentiment, trade analyst Taran Adarsh pointed out the urgency with only two days remaining before the films’ release. Without a clear decision from numerous theaters, notably in Pune, regarding which film to play, the industry risks missing out on the lucrative Diwali window typically characterized by high movie attendance. Adarsh criticized both parties involved for letting personal interests overshadow cooperative success.
Furthermore, the industry consensus holds that both films hold significant potential and are imperative for the cinematic enterprise during Diwali. However, it’s acknowledged that this clash could siphon audience interest, consequently affecting overall box office results. The focus should ideally shift from ego battles to fostering an environment where both films can thrive.
With advance bookings now in select theaters, audiences are eagerly choosing sides between Ajay Devgn’s riveting super cop film and Kartik Aaryan’s gripping horror comedy. As the minute hand inches closer to release day, there remains an air of uncertainty; yet, the promise of entertainment around the corner keeps the spirit of moviegoing alive.
With epic tales of heroism and supernatural happenings, could this be a Diwali to remember? All that remains is for the projectors to start rolling, and the crowd, popcorn in hand, to decide who reigns supreme at the box office this festive season.
