MUMBAI: Clash of the Titans- Star-studded projects to clash in coming months

MUMBAI: Big-ticket Hindi, regional and
Hollywood films to lock horns during festival periods; trade analysts and
multiplex operators weigh in their opinions

After
more than one-and-a-half years, a slew of big-ticket films are lined up for
release during festivals. Speculations are rife that Shahid Kapoor starrer
Jersey will clash with Marvel’s Eternals at the box office in Diwali. Tamil
action-drama Annatthe starring Rajinikanth and Telugu film Ghani headlined by
Varun Tej are also slated for a Diwali release. Mahesh Babu’s Sarkaru Vaari
Paata, Prabhas’ bilingual Radhe Shyam and Pawan Kalyan’s Bheemla Nayak are
scheduled for Sankranthi on January 14, 2022.

“We’re
expecting the films to run with 100% occupancy,” says Rajender Singh Jyala,
Chief Programming Officer, Inox Leisure Limited. He adds, “Clashes are bound to
happen now that the release of a bevy of films is pending. We’ve sufficient
number of screens to accommodate multiple releases and so, footfalls won’t be
affected.” Talking about how competition will positively impact films, he
states, “When Hindi films simultaneous release with Hollywood and regional
films, it will nudge producers to up their game.”

The
audience turnout in multiplexes will be huge during festival periods, believes
trade analyst Taran Adarsh. “Christmas is followed by New Year and that makes
for a long holiday period. So, two films can easily be accommodated. But
Hollywood and regional films will pose a threat to Hindi films as both the
industries have a pan-India appeal, especially Tollywood. Also, they are big in
terms of scale and production,” he says.

According
to Kunal Sawhney, Chief Operating Officer, Carnival Cinemas, the upcoming
months will bring good news. “Once Hindi films start releasing, we’re hopeful
that people will come back to the theatres. The star-studded films that are
releasing during festival periods are expected to garner ₹200-300 crore if the
50% occupancy clause changes to 100%,” he says.

Producer-trade
analyst Girish Johar expects to witness “a box office upswing” during
festivals. He opines that the upcoming releases are a testament to film
production fraternities’ faith in the big screen: “Producers need big screens
as a big chunk of revenue come from them. And I don’t think these clashes are a
threat. In a particular window, if we’ve two big films, they’ll cater to two
different set of audiences. Going ahead, there will be a three-way battle with
Bollywood, regional and Hollywood films simultaneously releasing during holiday
weekends.”