Salman to vacate BO for Akshay, SRK and Sunny this Eid?

This Eid might be one of those rare instances of a big Salman Khan-starrer not releasing during the auspicious festive period. Trade sources insist that he just might push the film ahead if it isn’t ready in time. Now, recent reports suggest that Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Chennai Express’, Akshay Kumar’s ‘Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2’ and Sunny Deol’s ‘Singh Saheb The Great’ will release at that time. Shah Rukh’s films generally release during Diwali, but this year Hrithik Roshan’s Krrish 3 is scheduled to release then. That has lent credence to the buzz about the Eid release. But, says a source, “There is a slight hitch. They want about 15 days of Deepika’s dates, which they need to borrow from another producer so that they can complete the film. Only then, will they be able to release on Eid.” There is no official confirmation from both UTV and SRK’s office. Milan Luthria, director of OUATIM 2, is not worried about his film’s release clashing with other films. He says, “We had announced our release way back, but it’s a free marketplace, and this sort of thing is bound to happen from time to time.” Trade veteran Amod Mehra feels multiple releases affect business in a big way. He says, “Gone are the days when two films released on the same day and there was healthy competition. They used to have their own chain of release, but today, multiplexes have changed the business. If there are more than two releases, each film will lose at least 25% of business as shows get divided. As of now, OUATIM2’s release is the only official announcement that has come. If Salman does not release his film on Eid, SRK will definitely take that place. OUATIM2 is a good Eid release, but if one of the Khans come on that day, it will be an advantage for them.” About coming with his movie on Eid, Sunny says, “My film is based on a common man’s life and Eid is one of those holidays when the aamaadmi is in a much happier space. Since the significance of this festival is also interpreted as a good time to bring people together in harmony and gratitude, we are aiming for an Eid release. The cinema business has changed. Since there are so many cinema halls, two big films can release at the same time. I am sure no one wants to take over anyone’s business.”