This Diwali promises an intense box office clash with two Bollywood titans, Ajay Devgn’s Singham Again and Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, scheduled to hit theatres on November 1, 2024. As fans anticipate a high-stakes showdown, the stakes rise higher behind the scenes, with T-Series approaching the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to demand fair screen distribution.
Singham Again vs Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3: T-Series Appeals to CCI for a 50-50 Screen Split
With both films targeting the same holiday release window, T-Series, which is producing Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, has taken the unprecedented step of appealing to the Competition Commission of India (CCI). According to reports, the production giant is asking CCI to ensure 50% screen allocation for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 in major multiplexes and theatres across India. This request follows claims that the production team behind Singham Again, led by Rohit Shetty, has secured agreements with PVR INOX and other single-screen theatres for preferential treatment, reportedly claiming 60% of screen shares for Singham Again.
This move by T-Series aims to balance the competition by appealing to CCI, the government body overseeing fair market competition, to regulate and allocate screen time evenly. The CCI’s intervention could set a precedent for how major holiday releases compete for screen space.
About the Diwali Releases
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 — The Return of Rooh Baba and Manjulika
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 marks the highly awaited comeback of Kartik Aaryan as Rooh Baba and Vidya Balan as Manjulika. Directed by Anees Bazmee, this horror-comedy sequel promises to blend spooky elements with comedic twists, featuring a star-studded cast including Madhuri Dixit and Triptii Dimri. The movie builds on the popularity of its predecessors, with audiences eager to see Aaryan and Balan’s on-screen chemistry once again.
Singham Again — A Modern-Day Cop Universe Blockbuster
Singham Again, directed by Rohit Shetty, expands his Cop Universe with a superheroic twist inspired by the Ramayana. The ensemble cast features Bollywood A-listers like Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Tiger Shroff, and Jackie Shroff. Known for action-packed narratives and patriotic themes, Shetty’s Singham Again is anticipated to draw massive crowds, setting the stage for a fierce box office rivalry.
Implications of a 50-50 Screen Split
The outcome of the screen allocation dispute will be significant for both films, as a fair distribution could impact box office numbers for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, given Singham Again’s advantage with PVR INOX and other single-screen theatres. Diwali is traditionally one of the most lucrative weekends in Bollywood, making screen share crucial for opening weekend collections.
The Importance of CCI’s Intervention
The decision by the Competition Commission of India could establish a standard for handling screen space during high-stakes release periods. With both movies backed by influential production houses, an intervention promoting fair competition would benefit audiences by ensuring equal viewing opportunities across theatres.
Conclusion
The Singham Again vs. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 clash exemplifies the rising stakes in Bollywood’s Diwali release calendar. The CCI’s involvement could reshape future screen allocation norms, balancing the competition during lucrative festive periods. As fans gear up for November 1, it’s not just the big screens that will be on fire, but the boardrooms too.
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