Whenever two big films clash at the box office, it automatically becomes one of the toughest weeks for cinema programmers and exhibitors. Scheduling shows is never easy in such scenarios because every major film wants dominance in showcasing. This situation is completely expected again this week.
The challenge is much bigger this time as two massive Pan India films are releasing on the same day. Prabhas starrer The Raja Saab and Thalapathy Vijay starrer Jananayagan are arriving in multiple languages across the country. Both films carry huge expectations, strong fan bases, and powerful distributors, making the fight for screens and shows inevitable.
Alongside these two giants, the pressure further increases as two regional films are also releasing. Adding to the competition, the Gujarati all time blockbuster Laalo is releasing in Hindi this Friday, demanding its own space in cinemas.
At the same time, the Dhurandhar wave is far from slowing down. The film is still pulling strong audiences, and its distributor is clearly expecting fair showcasing to continue its remarkable run. Apart from this, Avatar distributor is also seeking shows, while films like Ikkis and TMMTMTTM are also in the race for decent allocation.
As per sources from the exhibition sector, the situation has already turned intense. AA Films, the distributor of The Raja Saab, has officially sent a mail to multiplexes and exhibitors across circuits, clearly mentioning their showcasing expectations. According to sources, August Entertainment, which is distributing Jananayagan, and Jio Studios, the distributor of Dhurandhar, have not sent any formal mail yet, but they too are seeking fair showcasing and a healthy number of shows for their films.
What has added fuel to the situation is the firm stand taken by The Raja Saab distributors. As per exhibition sources, they have clearly mentioned that exhibitors are expected to follow the showcasing pattern shared by them. It is also being said that failure to meet these requirements could make it difficult for exhibitors to receive future big titles like Border 2 or Toxic.
Below is the showcasing demand officially shared by AA Films for The Raja Saab.
- Single Screen- All shows
- 2 Screens - 7 shows
- 3 Screens - 8 shows
- 4 Screens - 10 shows
- 5 Screens - 12 shows
- 6 or More Screens -14 shows
With so many films fighting for space, this week is shaping up to be one of the most complicated and pressure driven weeks for exhibitors. Balancing business, audience demand, distributor expectations, and long term relationships will be a real test for cinema owners across the country. The coming days will clearly show how this clash plays out on the ground.
Stay Tuned with CineInfinity for more updates on this Clash.
