If ‘Chennai Express’ and ‘OUATIM 2’ clash at the box office?

Article by Indicine critic Joginder Tuteja

With every passing day, the 2013 calendar is becoming more and more clearer. While time and again one sees clashes being averted after an amicable call taken by the makers of the rival films, last year’s big clash of ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ and ‘Son of Sardaar’ showed that nothing can be said with utmost certainty.

Here is looking at five major clashes that are expected in months to follow:

Ghanchakkar vs Raanjhanaa

Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan are on a roll which should make ‘Ghanchakkar’ special. On the other hand one can’t discount the fact that the director of ‘Raanjhanaa’, Aanand L. Rai, is the man who made his ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ a household name. While former is a comedy, latter is a love story. However an element of a light hearted narrative stays consistent in both films. Of course from the starcast perspective, ‘Ghanchakkar’ will find good push. Still, one does expect Aanand to deliver something special with his Sonam-Dhanush starrer.

Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2 vs Chennai Express vs Singh Sahab The Great

It is impossible that these three films will arrive on the same day. Period. In fact with Akshay Kumar’s OUATIM 2 confirmed for Eid, there is negligible probability of this Milan Luthria film moving ahead. Though the best case scenario would be to see no clash whatsoever, one thing is for sure that ‘Singh Sahab The Great’ won’t come along with OUATIM 2, as was the case two years back when ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’ had made way for ‘Tees Maar Khan’. This leaves ‘Chennai Express’ in fray.

Though a confirmed word is yet to be out, if at all this clash indeed takes place, ‘Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai’ would have a slight edge, if not major. The sequel factor, audience anticipation to see the story unfold, Akshay getting into a part with grey shades and the strength of Ekta Kapoor’s marketing prowess would ensure that the film carries enough weight to take on the combined might of Shahrukh Khan and Rohit Shetty, both of whom haven’t delivered a flop for ages. While a huge opening is on the cards for both films, OUATIM 2 may just have an advantage, at least over the weekend.

Phata Poster Nikla Hero vs Satyagraha

Shooting of both films is in full swing and the good part is that ‘Phata Poster Nikla Hero’ and ‘Satyagraha’ belong to extremely diverse genre. This means that even if there is a clash, the divide amongst the audience wouldn’t be massive enough. While former is a light hearted film by Rajkumar Santoshi after ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’, latter is yet another hard hitting tale by Prakash Jha. As a matter of fact, if at all the films would be making news for the clash; it would be due to face-off between Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor who would be finding themselves on the other side of the fence after ‘Milenge Milenge’.

Bullet Raja vs Ungli

Tigmanshu Dhulia is fast rising as a man who knows how to tell different stories. With him at the helm of his most ambitious film till date, ‘Bullet Raja’, and enjoying the presence of stars like Saif Ali Khan, one looks forward to what he delivers this time around. On the other hand Karan Johar has entrusted Rensil D’Silva to deliver goods for an entertainer in the form of ‘Ungli’ which has Sanjay Dutt, Emraan Hashmi and Kangna Ranaut forming an interesting cast. Now this one would be an interesting clash in the offering. Both films are seemingly quirky in nature and are expected to follow a unique narrative as well.

Gori Tere Pyaar Mein vs Rambo Rajkumar

If at all this clash indeed happens, and that too after ‘Phata Poster Nikla Hero’ v/s ‘Satyagraha’, tongues would start wagging as it would be second instance withing one year where Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor would be encountering each other. In fact this time around the clash would be more closely fought since both films are core entertainers in the making and would also result in divided moola. For audience though it would be a bonanza in the offering as ‘Gori Tere Pyaar Mein’ would have Karan Johar and Punit Malhotra returning with Imran Khan after ‘I Hate Luv Storys’. On the other hand Prabhudheva would be back with yet another ‘masala entertainer’ with Sonakshi in tow after ‘Rowdy Rathore’.

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder