On an unassuming Friday evening last week, news broke that PadMan, a film that was slated to release on January 25 along with Padmaavat, has postponed its release to February 9. Reason being: Let Padmaavat have its release without clashing with any other film, especially considering how it has taken a hit from all sides even before its release.
A magnanimous Akshay Kumar made the announcement along with good friend Sanjay Leela Bhansali in a press conference.
“We requested Akshay if he can shift the film because he is such a big star and our troubles might have increased if we would have released the film together. He agreed and will be grateful to him for a lifetime,” said Bhasali.
#Padmaavat has been made after facing a lot of difficulties,we decided on release date of 25 Jan but it was with Akshay Kumar for release of his film ‘PadMan’,we reqwsted him to move release date of his film ahead,he agreed,will be grateful to him for a lifetime:Sanjay L Bhansali pic.twitter.com/FoLQbiLa7u
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2018
Akshay Kumar, who is undoubtedly the bigger star next to Bhansali’s production and who has earned only praises for portraying a man who understands the importance of menstrual hygiene, said that it was imperative for Padmaavat to release because they’ve suffered enough. “It is essential for them to release it as quickly as possible. The point is not about fighting or clashing… But at the moment, the stake of their film is much more higher than mine,” he said.
And while this change in release date works in Padmaavat’s favour, team Aiyaary is not thrilled. The film was slated to release along with PadMan on January 26, but averted the clash by shifting it to February 9. Of course, now the clash seems inevitable, with no points for guessing which film is likely to full crowds.
Down South, the scene isn’t so different.
Films that were slated for a January 26 release have more or less shifted to avoid a clash. Because now, a film’s real success lies in the amount of money it makes in the opening weekend. And who doesn’t want to be a part of the Rs 100 crore club?
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Nimir, Priyadarshan’s film starring Udhayanidhi Stalin, Namita Pramod, Samuthirakani, and Parvati Nair, has confirmed its release on Republic Day. Udhayanidhi’s films have been released along with other big releases. Last year, his film Podhuvangu Emmanasu Thangam released alongside a big film like VIP 2 starring Dhanush. Needless to say the latter performed better at the box office. But that didn’t stop his other film Ippadai Vellum from releasing alongside Nayanthara’s Aramm, which has been regarded as one of her best performances.
So Nimir soldiers on despite clashing a big movie like Anushka Shetty’s Bhaagamathie (also releasing in Tamil). The other release slotted for the same is Mannar Vagaiyara, an action comedy set in the rural parts of South India. And a relatively small film compared to the other two.
Jayam Ravi’s Tik Tik Tik, regarded as India’s first space film, had its engines revving for a January 26 release. The trailers and posters were all released organically, a perfect build up for a Republic Day weekend release. The news now is that it has postponed its release date to February. There is no confirmation yet but most Kollywood experts are sure that the change in date is evident. Cold feet perhaps?