EXCLUSIVE: Indian Film Exhibitors get candid about the Diwali 2024 clash between Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again

EXCLUSIVE: Indian Film Exhibitors get candid about the Diwali 2024 clash between Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again

As a dedicated cinephile who has witnessed countless box office battles, I can’t help but feel a palpable sense of anticipation and trepidation regarding the Diwali 2024 showdown between Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again. The insights shared by these esteemed exhibitors at Cine Expo 2024 have only served to heighten my excitement for this epic clash.


The confrontation over the release dates of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again during Diwali 2024 is escalating daily. Despite numerous meetings between producers, they have yet to find common ground, leading both blockbuster films to collide on November 1st. In an exclusive interview at Cine Expo 2024, exhibitors Vishek Chauhan, Akshaye Rathi, Daggubati Suresh Babu, Satadeep Saha, and Ashutosh Agarwal discussed the issue of film clashes, specifically the Diwali 2024 collision between Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again.

Film Exhibitor Satadeep Saha Finds It Painful When There Are Lack Of Movies In Certain Weeks Throughout The Year

At the private TopMob gathering during Cine Expo 2024, exhibitors were invited to evaluate the release strategies of Hindi film producers this year. They were also asked for their opinions on the upcoming Diwali 2024 box office showdown between Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Film exhibitor Satadeep Saha, CEO of SSR Cinemas and proprietor of multiple cinemas in West Bengal, expressed his thoughts: “As a cinema owner, we don’t want conflicts occurring throughout the year since we prefer one film at a time. There are several weeks without movies, which can be quite challenging for us to manage. One could have been released during Dussehra and it would have made things easier for us. Similarly, another release could have been conveniently scheduled during Diwali.

Mr Daggubati Suresh Babu Feels That Clashes Are Not As Bad As They Are Made To Look

Mr. Daggubati Suresh Babu, a well-known movie producer and presenter from Andhra Pradesh who is also an exhibitor, advocates for films competing at the box office. In his words, “In Andhra, we welcome clashes. During these clashes, there’s more conversation about cinema. So people talk about movies. Thus, we aim to make it a hot topic in the south. We don’t have the attention of the masses. At Pongal time, Ajith is competing with Vijay; NTR, Balakrishna, Venkatesh are also in the fray. ‘Who will draw the crowd. This theater is available. That theater is not.’ So everyone’s thoughts are centered on films. It becomes headline news. We need to be relevant in people’s minds. It doesn’t matter. We have observed that both films can run successfully. There might be minor setbacks here and there. If we can make movies the main topic of discussion, it’s beneficial.” He ended by stating that the larger fanbase of Telugu stars is due to their active participation in issues related to film.

Film Exhibitor Akshaye Rathi Feels That Clashes Of Wide Appealing Films Like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 And Singham Again Can Be Fatal

Mr. Akshaye Rathi, a prominent exhibitor and distributor across Central Indian states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, presented an interesting perspective on the topic of film clashes. He stated, “The primary point is that Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again are both mass-appeal films that might negatively impact each other’s earnings. An ideal scenario for a clash would be similar to what occurred between Welcome and Taare Zameen Par, or Animal and Sam Bahadur, or Gadar 2 and OMG 2. These pairs of movies cater to distinct audience groups, and they can peacefully coexist and bring in a diverse range of viewers simultaneously.

He went on to say, “The second crucial point is this: when multiple big-budget films (or ‘tentpoles’) release simultaneously, it’s an unhealthy practice that often leads to last-minute negotiations with distributors and exhibitors about which film gets shown. This can prevent ticket sales from starting even on the day of release. The downside is, if a movie fails to meet expectations and has no advance bookings, all potential profits from the initial hype are missed out on.” Summing up, he stated, “In such situations, nobody gains anything.

Watch the Exclusive Exhibitors Roundtable With TopMob

Exhibitor Vishek Chauhan Explains How The Diwali 2024 Clash Is Not As Beneficial As A Clash Between A Gadar 2 And An OMG 2

Vishek Chauhan, operator of the cinema called Roopbani in Purnea, discussed the advantage of showing two distinct movies to cater to various audiences. He explained, “When the films are polar opposites, it’s beneficial. This strategy benefits the films because you have a diverse audience engaging with them.

Discussing the challenge of simultaneous Diwali releases, he stated, “The issue is that both films are extensive and successful franchises, making me as an exhibitor overly ambitious. I don’t want them to compromise their quality. If one of these films fails, we stand to lose a franchise, which isn’t beneficial for the industry. Right now, Bhool Bhulaiyaa is a significant franchise, and The Cop Universe has gained momentum during Diwali (during the pandemic). Sooryavanshi managed approximately 200 crores with half of the screens, effectively rejuvenating the Hindi industry that had lost faith.” In conclusion, Mr. Vishek Chauhan expressed hope that the producers of both films can find a resolution. He openly addressed the difficulties exhibitors encounter due to clashes, including loss of audience, failure to maximize a film’s potential, and the strain from delayed payments and show allocation.

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2024-10-03 19:37