Release Date of Shahrukh Khan’s ‘Dilwale’?

Q. Should ‘Dilwale’ release on 18th December or 25th December? Which is a better release date?

A. Like we have seen in the last couple of years, releasing films a week before Christmas can prove to be beneficial as they get more than 3 open weeks at the box office. Having said that, such a move can also back-fire if the content is not strong enough. We think Shahrukh and Rohit will wait until the shoot is complete and then decide whether to release the film on 18th or 25, depending on how the film has shaped up. Also, if they are targeting opening day / weekend records, 25th would be a better date to release the film.

Q. After back to back flops, is Vidya Balan still a bankable star and is anyone really excited about another biopic? – Ajay Rocks

A. Vidya Balan was never really a bankable star at the box office. A film like ‘Kahaani’, which released after ‘The Dirty Picture’ took a slow start (Rs 2.75 crore on Day 1). Her films will do well if the word-of-mouth is good. No female centric film will take a huge initial, unless they sell sex!

Q. Dear Indicine, Love your site. Whenever I type letter I on my keypad it shows indicine.com.. that is how frequently I open your site in a day. My only question is, what according to you would be the perfect release date for Shahrukh Khan’s FAN? - Shoaib

A. Thank you! ‘Dilwale’ is releasing during Christmas and ‘Raees’ has been confirmed for Eid 2016 (early July). If the makers can complete the film on time, October 2nd would be a good date, as Akshay Kumar’s Singh Is Bling is likely to be postponed. A gap of atleast 3-4 months is necessary between two Shahrukh Khan films, so if ‘FAN’ can’t make it by October, then YRF would probably be looking at releasing their film in March / April 2016.

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Q. Don’t you think heroines get less credit for their roles in big films? For example Priyanka Chopra in Barfi!, Katrina Kaif in Rajneeti, Anushka Sharma in PK etc.? – Amith

A. All those performances you mentioned were out-shined by male heroes in the same film. Priyanka was outstanding, but so was Ranbir who had a meatier role. Katrina was good, but Ranbir and Ajay were better. Lets not even compare Anushka with one of Aamir’s career best performances in PK. It’s not like heroines don’t get enough credit, Kangana Ranaut just won a National award, Deepika Padukone’s performance in Cocktail and Chennai Express earned her tremendous appreciation. Ditto for Vidya Balan in ‘The Dirty Picture’ and Kahaani. If a performance is outstanding, it will stand out!

Q. On what basis do you say that Hritik Roshan is the ‘second’ biggest crowd puller after the Khans, even though his films open as huge the Khans and are one of the biggest grossers? For example, Krrish 3 and Kick both opened on a non-holiday and on pre-Diwali and pre-Eid periods respectively and both earned around 25 crores even though songs of the former didn’t work. Plus pre-Diwali is worse period than pre-Eid and Krrish 3 release on lesser screens - not denying the fact that Krrish was a big brand.

A. Difficult question to answer. Hrithik’s star power was comparable to the Khans in the 2000s. In fact, in terms of opening, he was ahead of both Aamir and Salman for most part of last decade (2000 – 2009). Films like Koi Mil Gaya, Dhoom 2, Krrish were not only record-breaking openers, but also went on to be record-grossers and highest grossers of the year too. Even films like Lakshya and Kites opened to near 100% occupancy on Day 1. Unfortunately though, he lags way behind when it comes to his PR machinery, tries to remain out of controversies or link-ups and also does very few films. In short, we’d just say.. if a commercial Hrithik Roshan film releases during one of the 3 major festivals, he is capable of breaking the records set by the Khans.

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