Stree 2, Vedaa, and Khel Khel Mein Clash Causes Chaos Among Exhibitors. What’s the story?
With less than 48 hours remaining before the release of Stree 2, Vedaa, and Khel Khel Mein, the box office is set for a massive clash, leading to significant tensions among single-screen exhibitors. The stakes are high as these three big films prepare to battle it out, but the situation is particularly challenging due to the unusual demands and the excitement surrounding Stree 2.
Stree 2 Distributor’s Demands Spark Controversy
The distributor of Stree 2 has reportedly requested that all shows in single-screen theatres be dedicated to the film, citing strong advance bookings in multiplexes. This demand has sparked outrage among single-screen exhibitors, who are reluctant to comply, fearing backlash from the distributors of the other two films.
An exhibitor explained, “The Stree 2 distributors are pushing for all shows in single screens based on its performance in multiplexes. However, as single-screen exhibitors, we are not keen on this arrangement. It’s becoming a difficult situation.”
The Challenge of Allocating Shows
With three major films releasing simultaneously, exhibitors are struggling to allocate showtimes. According to reports, Khel Khel Mein and Vedaa might have just one show each, while the remaining slots would go to Stree 2. However, the challenge lies in determining which prime slots to assign to the other two films.
An angry single-screen theatre owner expressed his frustration, saying, “What was the need for three films to be released on the same day? Programming has become a nightmare. I prefer to play Stree 2 in all shows due to the high demand, but this would upset the other distributors. Why do we always have to bear the brunt?”
He added, “Rajkummar Rao ke saamne Akshay Kumar aur John Abraham apni beizzati karwa rahe hai. Acha lagta hai kya?”
Bookings Delayed in Single Screens
Currently, many single-screen theatres have only opened bookings for the paid previews of Stree 2, scheduled for August 14. Mumbai’s iconic cinema complex, Gaiety-Galaxy, began bookings for Stree 2 in Gaiety and Vedaa in Galaxy. However, bookings for Stree 2 were abruptly suspended on August 12, raising concerns, though they resumed on August 13 afternoon. Despite repeated attempts, Gaiety-Galaxy executive director Manoj Desai was unavailable for comment.
Two-Screen and Three-Screen Theatres Also Face Issues
The issue is not limited to single screens; even two-screen and three-screen theatres grapple with the challenge of show allocation. An official from a two-screen theatre stated, “One screen will be dedicated to Stree 2, and Vedaa and Khel Khel Mein will share the other. However, Vedaa’s team demands three more shows than Khel Khel Mein, as their advance bookings are better.”
In three-screen multiplexes, the situation is similarly complex. Kiritbhai T Vaghasia, who runs The Friday Cinema multiplex in Surat, shared his strategy: “I have allotted 8 shows to Stree 2, 4 to Vedaa, and 3 to Khel Khel Mein. I gave one show to Double iSmart, but I’ve temporarily stopped booking it. If the distributors of the three Hindi films are satisfied, I’ll resume bookings for Double iSmart. Otherwise, I’ll cancel its release in my cinema.”
Double iSmart Suffers Due to Clash.
Double iSmart has also been adversely affected by the clash, with barely any shows allocated across the country in Hindi. The intense competition has made it difficult for the film to secure a significant presence in theatres.
Conclusion
The three-way clash between Stree 2, Vedaa, and Khel Khel Mein has created unprecedented challenges for exhibitors across India. As the release date approaches, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved and which films will come out on top at the box office. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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