What: The clash of Prabhas-starrer Salaar and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki on December 22 has sent shockwaves across the industry. The trade and exhibitors got worried since it’s become a norm for distributors to fight tooth and nail over sharing of screens. The exhibitors are also put in a spot as they are often compelled to choose a film out of the two. As a result, theatres across the country have been bracing to tide over this sticky situation on December 22.
Furthermore: But if sources are to be believed, then the exhibitors and trade can heave a sigh of relief. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Salaar will be distributed by Anil Thadani’s AA Films, who are also the distributors of Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor, which releases on December 1. There was a worry among the makers of Dunki that AA Films might tell theatres that they would get a chance to play Animal, a very highly awaited film, only if they agreed to screen Salaar over Dunki on December 22. Many distributors in the past have indulged in this practice.”
We heard: Senior authorities from Shah Rukh Khan’s company, Red Chillies Entertainment, reached out to the producers of Animal. The Red Chillies officials requested Animal’s producers to make sure that such a situation doesn’t arise where exhibitors are arm-twisted.”