While there continues to be to-and-fro around the release timelines for Salman Khan’s ‘Mental’, there are several other biggies that have their calendars being sorted out way in advance. This can be seen in a clamour that is already building in right now for films that would arrive on as late as Diwali 2014. While this is pretty much a Hollywood phenomenon where release dates of films are blocked way in advance, sometimes as good as 2-3 years, the trend is pretty muck picking up for Bollywood as well.
Here is presenting the list of some of the most prominent films that are already working backwards from their release dates. What is notable is the fact that majority of these dates fall in or around some of the most coveted holidays that the entire country enjoys.
Kick (Eid)
What ‘Mental’ couldn’t accomplish this year, now ‘Kick’ is all set to do that next year. Even though the film is yet to go on floors, it is certain that Salman Khan would take back his Eid slot with this action entertainer. With more than a year to go before the film unfolds on the big screen, producer Sajid Nadiadwala, who is also turning director with the film, is putting all stops for his team to put together a perfect pre-production plan for ‘Kick’. For Salman too the film would come with mighty expectations since after his Eid release ‘Ek Tha Tiger’, it would be action time again with ‘Kick’ on Eid next year.
Shuddhi (Diwali)
This is the farthest that a Bollywood film is thinking for next year. Karan Johar, Hrithik Roshan and Karan Malhotra announced their release plans for ‘Shuddhi’ much in advance and no one really complained because there are expectations of an out and out entertainer here. With festivities all around on Diwali, the winning team of ‘Agneepath’ has shown it’s command by taking an early pick way in advance, hence also bringing in a new regular on Diwali. While over the years the battle was between Shahrukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn for Diwali, first ‘Krrish 3’ and now ‘Shuddhi’ brings Hrithik in the ring as well.
Bang Bang (Labour Day)
6 crores in collections for ‘Aashiqui 2’ on the Labour Day, and that too when the film was into it’s sixth day, has shown once again that how much can a holiday actually benefit. No wonder, Hrithik and team thought about this way in advance and didn’t blink an eyelid before finalising ‘Bang Bang’ for 1st May release next year. A Thursday release is only going to further benefit the film immensely as it would now be sitting on a four day long weekend. For Hrithik Roshan, this is a huge double bill and consolidation of his superstar status as this would be his third straight holiday release after ‘Krrish 3’
Gunday, Heropanti (Valentines Day)
On the day of love, there are two action-romantic-musicals that have their eyes set on the slot. Both films come have strong production houses backing them. While ‘Gunday’ has Yash Raj Films backing it, ‘Heropanti’ has Nadiadwala Grandson at the helm of affairs. Shooting of both films is currently on in full pace. ‘Gunday’ is a star studded affair with Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor coming together. On the other hand curiosity around seeing Tiger Shroff’s debut would drive ‘Heropanti’. More than a clash, it would be interesting to see both films co-exist and bring some ‘masala’ flavour next Valentines.
Hasee Toh Phasee (Republic Day)
First major holiday of 2014, Republic Day, would be seeing ‘Hasee Toh Phasee’ play on screens. The second outing of Sidharth Malhotra almost a year and a half after ‘Student of the Year’, the film is being noticed for the hunky boy’s pairing with firebrand Parineeti Chopra. While one waits to see how does the coming together of Karan Johar and Anurag Kashyap for this film would end up as an enticing creative experience, an early booking of the slot means the reverse count is already on. Ironically, despite being a Republic Day release, the film won’t gain anything special since 26th January happens to be a Sunday!