The latest trend of most producers and directors is to block release dates of their films well in advance. There are films that have already taken all the major holiday weekends in 2016. Take a look:
- Raees starring Shahrukh Khan – Eid 2016
- Shhuddhi starring Salman Khan – Diwali 2016
- Dangal starring Aamir Khan – Christmas 2016
- Ranbir – Ayan superhero film – Christmas 2016
- Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starring Ranbir Kapoor - June 3 (Post IPL)
- Housefull 3 starring Akshay Kumar - June 3 (Post IPL)
- Mohenjo Daro starring Hrithik Roshan – Independence Day 2016
- Airlift starring Akshay Kumar – Republic Day 2016
All films that we mentioned above have a release date, but the first shooting schedule of all films – except Mohenjo Daro and Airlift – is yet to begin.
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So why exactly do producers block dates well in advance? Our take (do take part in the two polls at the bottom of the article)
Producers are the most insecure individuals
Producing films is a risky business and getting a good opening day figure has become crucial in today’s times. There are only about 4-5 big holiday weekends every year and every producer wants his film to benefit from a extended holiday weekend. The craze around festivals has become so huge that even announcing a film for a Christmas or Eid gets a film tremendous amount of media coverage. An announcement for a holiday release creates a perception amongst the audience and the trade that it’s a big film. Which is why a film like Bajirao Mastani, Welcome Back or Bombay Velvet were announced as Christmas releases, even though they have literally no chance of getting a solo release.
Some films are announced as backup
More often that not, there are 2 or 3 big films scheduled to release on the same day, but eventually the bigger film gets to release their film. For instance Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani and Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale are both slated to release during Christmas. This is not because the producers want to compete against each other but in reality if one film is not ready there is a backup. Closer to the release, both producers meet and sort out dates among themselves. Also, if two films are slated in advance for release then there is less scope for a third to even think about that date. Shahrukh had recently attended Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s party, Karan Johar and Sajid Nadidawala are good friends, so it’s very unlikely that their films would clash. But Bhansali recently confirmed that his film will release during Christmas, that’s because not only does his film stay in news, but if there is some last minute delay to ‘Dilwale’, Bhansali then has a chance to release his film solo.
The Khans will always want Diwali, Christmas and Eid. The trade wants them too!
This may sound a little harsh, but preference for the big dates will also be given to the Top 3 or 4 actors in the industry. The trend since the past few years has been the three Khans dominating one festival each and this will continue over the next few years. Not just the Khans, the exhibitors (i.e cinema owners) also want their commercial films to release during this period as they get maximum footfalls. Hrithik, Ranbir, Akshay and Ajay have blocked other holidays like Republic day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti leaving little scope for the relative newcomers.
While the trend of blocking release dates well in advance will continue, announcement of smaller films is a publicity gimmick to aid the profiling of a film. If these filmmakers do stick to the release date and start wrapping films in time, it will add to the genuineness and authenticity in these announcements. Else, a time will come when even the media will stop caring about smaller film announcements for festive weekends.
Some facts:
– In the last few years, the only non-Khan release during Christmas, Diwali, Eid was ‘Krrish 3’ starring Hrithik Roshan – and he is the biggest crowd-puller after the Khans.
– The only film that actually decided to take on the might of the Khans was Ajay Devgn’s Son Of Sardaar, which released with SRK’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan in 2012.
– Shahrukh Khan’s last non-festive release was My Name Is Khan in 2010.
– Aamir Khan’s last non-festive release was Talaash and the non-commercial film failed to cross the 100 crore mark.
– Salman Khan’s last non-festive release was Jai Ho, which was one of the biggest disappointments of 2014.
In a way, even though the Khans are the biggest crowd-pullers, they probably rely on these festival dates to sustain their super-stardom and superiority over others.
Do share your thoughts in the comments section below. Like always, we’d love to know what you think!
Also, take part in the two polls below
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I personally believe that Diwali festival is much bigger than other 2 festivals.. Both Salman and Aamir have not released their movie on Diwali since 2006.. I don’t know about Aamir’s last Diwali release.. When both these actors release their movie on Diwali, you will automatically get ur answer as to which festival is best for business
Diwali festival release famous since 70s
in 2007 oso highest grossing film of the year
in 2010 – goalmaal 3 – 4th film to cross 100 cr despite clash with akki
in 2013 – krrish 3 – 244 cr highest grossing film till dhoom 3…
Sallu n aamir yet to come on diwali…
so I think Diwali best for business
Mark my words
prdp will definitely show u Diwali is better than other 2… 400 cr sure for prdp
Biggest non-festive weekend is hard to answer but what Bang Bang got was a good period
though khans have kept holidays with him – one more bitter fact is that – stars like akki ajay have also used that formula but it is audience – they have always preffered khans over others.
i dont think any akki movie can 200 mark even if it releases on christmas.
example is tees mar khan.
he failed on diwali also with action replay nd blue.
is it fault of khans ? no..
on 2nd day after diwali , srk can bring 44 cr but ajay or akki can hardly get 24-25 cr.
thats difference in star power.
yes it is fact that even khans get benefits of holidays but on non holiday also – khans can easily cross 15 cr mark on day one.
jai ho did 16 cr on day 1 ,
talash did 47 cr in first weekend ,
don2 (which has christmas holiday on its first sunday , first 2 were working days so normal release for first weekend) did 47-48 in first weekend.
while baby did 9 cr on day 1 , 15 cr on first sunday ,
action jackson did 11-12 on day 1.
clearly seen – only hrithik after khans has ability to bring audience on his shoulder for first 2-3 days as rest all depends on content only.
my view – on top – 3 khans – than hrithik – than ranbir than akki,ajay.
ranbir is more powerful in terms of opening.
great article..but the fact that all three khans have earned it by their efforts… in their younger days they used to release 4 or 5 films in one year…but gradually with each passing year they got stardom to rule entire Bollywood… if hrithik or ranbir are able to do the same…these three khans will make their way for them…but dont think it will happen in next 5 to 10 years..
Only actor who has got blockbusters with and without getting festival release is salman khan
basically for other actors( especially ranbir kapoor) either they have to wait for next 10 to 15 years to get solo festive release or directly fight with them on box office by releasing their movie with mighty khans….”JO HOGA WOH DEKHA JAYEGA” wala attitude will work for other actors
I think aamir khan is the most insecure actor of bollywood,as he always looking for a christmas release.if he is a true super star then he should release his movie during non festive time,specially dangal
it is salman who made eid big and it is amir who made christmas big
There is no use of discussing these. After 1 year, same type of article will get posted that Khans have booked dates for 2017. And they deserve them. Khans will rule for next 5 years. Right now,Waiting for Mr.X 3D , Hamari Adhuri Kahani ,Tigers n Azhar !
talaash was dark and unentertaining slow movie but that managed to got hit status also jai ho was bgrade movie with january release(non favourable date for films) but that crossed 100cr if there was others top actors instead of Aamir and Salman in respective movies then i can challenge it could not cross 60cr so first admit they are biggest superstar by far and how can you call jai ho biggest disapointment are you had been expecting 200cr from that bgrade movie with not good looking debut actress and irritating supporting cast including sohail khan as director.
I think the point about exhibitors is very valid- in all honesty I think supply and demand dictates the big holidays should go to the big boys and thats the bottom line. Sorry for others but their day will come one day but khans plus teesra khan are ruling as of today so lets just rejoice in that fact.
Ya even I feel if
Dhoom3
Happy new year
Kick
Released in no holiday week they would have done much less.
Christmas with only Aamir is biggest festive period- without him christmas is quiet as 2010 and 2011 proved.
Eid is biggest weekend irrespective of who releases his film.
Khans movie are made only for Festivals.
Srk Salman Aamir are the Synonymous with Eid Diwali and Christmas.
Khan movies make Festival Colourful and enjoyable.
You mentioned that Talaash failed to do 100cr but u didn’t post that by the time someone’s highest grosser was 72cr in India,Aamir already had a 200cr film 3Idiots by then itself.Never underrate someone to praise the other.
Coming to JaiHo,i want to clarify it to u that it was the 6th highest grosser of 2014 despite its time of release,its verdict,low ticket rates & piracy within 2 days of its release.I still can’t understand which way it has been biggest disappointment for you.Except for the fact that distributors lost some money at few areas.Even though it’s a semihit but still it has overtook business of all the hit films of some fellow except his last 2 outings.
@shaggy
agree with u
industry wants to know that which is the biggest festival time for movie release
aftr prdp and shhuddhi people will say that diwali is the best
It’s all about the holiday weekend for all stars..
I don’t know what exactly to say on this topic
but yes definitely Christmas is the best period for films as both the climate and holiday factors as well as public mood is highly tilted towards going to the theatre and having a good time
Shahrukh hasn’t had a normal weekend release for so many years now
may it be festive release or non festive release it doesn’t matter at all only matter is its content but these are just for boosting the opening figures.
if content is excellent it will get long run if not then all above films will have same fate.
The most coward actors are those who depend on festivals for their every single release and also afraid to even experiment with genre.
Fooling & boring intellectual audience with the same pathetic action remakes.
I feel the actors who have really come up and shown the guts to experiment are Aamir Khan, Shahid Kapoor, Abhay Deol, Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan.
Rest all like Ajay Devgan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar have lost respect in pleasing their mass audience with same masala repeating movies.
Thanks for this line @indicine:::
” In a way, even though the Khans are the biggest crowd-pullers, they probably rely on these festival dates to sustain their super-stardom and superiority over others. “
In the coming 3-4 years it will be “Christmas”. Makers hav realized the Globalization of the Cinema industry.
Very soon in future time, the movies will compete on overseas figures.
@srk:: Tees Maar Khan opened brilliantly on christmas with collections of 13crs,it was criticised and ridiculed by both audience n critics as it was a crap film..Still it collected 72crs and became Semi Hit.
In 2007,Welcome opened much better than Aamir’s TZP,Welcome got mixed reviews,TZP got exceptional reviews..and even with clash welcome did 70crs,blockbuster..TZP did extremely well too on WOM publicity n did 62crs!!
Both Blue n Action replay were content less films!! Akki’s look was so horrible in Action replayy that I hated that film from its poster,why would anyone spend their money to watch it in theatre??
Now,Akki is doing comparatively much better films,he has given OMG,Special 26,BABY,Holiday in last few years..
So i just want to say that Akki can provide good business on festive release too..Your king’s Don 2 even being a franchise film opened to 14.5crs on Xmas in 2011 n could become only HIT,Swades was a flop in 2004 Xmas.
This is a brilliant article . It is entertaining as well quite informative . The fact is that Holidays are really important for huge success . Since 2007 only Holiday releases have been the highest grossers of the year . I don’t have any problem with Khabs infact i feel all 3 of them are Megastars and everyone is brilliant and superb . But sometimes i don’t like the fact that they always want Festival releases . I think there should be a balance between Holiday and Non Holiday releases . There was a time when movies releasing on a Non Holiday used to be record breakers and the highest grossers of the year . Ex. Sholay, HAHK, Gadar and Dhoom : 2 all these movies have been All Time Grossers and all these movies were released on Non Holiday period . According to me the most profitable festival date is Christmas because many movies have broken record on Christmas . The advantage with Christmas it is the last festival of the year so people desperately wait for it . Most important point is in Christmas there are vacations all over the world so overseas audiences can watch the movie many times if they like the content . In Non Holiday releases it is a tough call but i will vote for Post IPL period because every movie released during that period has been successful . Ex. New York, Raajneeti, Ready, Rowdy Rathore, YJHD and Holiday . Independence Day comes a close second but only 15th is a advantage as it is a National Holiday but from the next day there is no advantage . Republic Day has also been good . Agneepath was solid and is still unbroken in the month of January . Race 2 was a good success . Jai Ho was an underperformer because Salman was last seen in Dabangg 2 which came 1 year before Jai Ho . Baby i must was good even though it also underperformed because of the genre of the movie which was based on terrorism, it did not had songs and was negligibly promoted . This movie deserved to be a part of 100 CR Club . It is too early to say about Gandhi Jayanti because only Bang Bang and Haider have been successful during that period . Besharam was a flop . Bang Bang inspite of facing a clash with a critically acclaimed movie like Haider did 181 CR which is a great achievement . If Bang Bang had a solo release it would have done atleast 200 CR . The Pre Diwali phase affects Gandhi Jayanti hence Post IPL and Republic Day are more profitable than GJ .
@babaji, what a review,so Don 2 was mass appealing film, right?
akki’s movies are content less when it had a poor opening? right?
content is decided after watching,
TMK criticised badly, then what about HNY, Was it a critically acclaimed movie?. still manage 45 opening and became super hit.
Then what about a critically acclaimed movie(even before the release) Baby’s opening.
Though bashing Akki is my favourit subject i had decided not again. but….
comparing Akki with SRK !!!!!! that’s an insult to SRK…
Why hritik,aaki,ajay and ranbir dont try to relise festivles.the clash happened,the result same as jthj vs sos.
Khans get superstardom from major holidays.
Khans-major holiday=hrithik,ajay,akkki,ranbir.
7 superstars have fans and peoples belive him,so a non khan superstar dare to relise festivel then another sos or krish3 possible
the filims like yjhd,rr,singam,agnipath,hf2 like filims get major holiday relse,star equation become another level.
But khans mental ability and marketing knowledge are top class.
The only film that actually decided to take on the might of Khans was Ajay Devgn’s SOS, which released wid srk JTHJ in 2012. thanks @indicine truth be told.
BTW, Ajay released his movie Singham Returns Independence day last yr which is not as big as Xmas,Diwali or Eid , but yet it collected more than 32 cr in first day that shows Ajay can benefit big holidays if he releases his movies ( good content film ).
Anyway Me Wish Golmaal 4 comes xmas 2016 or Eid 2017.
Diwali = People spending money, perfect weather all across the country!
Diwali has historically been the best period to release a film…..just because Eid and Xmas have records recently doesnt mean anything…..
Also if a commercial good Khan film were to release during normal weekends, business would still be high, maybe not as high as festive periods but still high nevertheless…
Remember reading a report on BOI saying that Dhoom 3 was creating havoc on weekdays indicating that difference between holiday or non holiday period release for D3 was only about 10%…..this is as per BOI……