Theatres in Maharashtra are all set to reopen from October 22. A couple of days ago, Rohit Shetty shared a picture with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and announced that his film, Akshay Kumar-starrer Sooryavanshi is scheduled to release during Diwali - on November 5 to be precise. Post the announcement, several production houses announced the release dates for their upcoming movies. And clashes were unavoidable. It was reported that Sooryavanshi will be pitted against Salman Khan's Antim and Marvel's Eternals. However, things might take a turn.
According to a report in ETimes, the makers of Sooryavanshi have started calling up theatre owners to tell them that their film will not share screens with any other movie releasing on the same date. And the theatre owners have given it a thumbs up as well.
Given that the makers of the Akshay Kumar-led Sooryavanshi are demanding 100 per cent screens, Antim and Eternals might get postponed. Speaking to ETimes, leading distributor Sunil Wadhwa, who is distributing Sooryavanshi in the Bombay Circuit, said, "We welcome the decision of the Maharashtra State Government to reopen cinemas and it has given us immense pleasure to announce our most awaited film of the year 'Sooryavanshi' as a Diwali release for not only the exhibitors but also for the moviegoers who were waiting for a big tentpole film. We are awaiting the SOP guidelines for Maharashtra based on which our distribution strategy will be planned." ALSO READ:Akshay Kumar Politely Responds To An IPS Officer Who Pointed Out An 'Error' In A BTS Picture Of Sooryavanshi
He added, "In lieu of the above, all exhibitors have given us their solidarity to showcase 'Sooryavanshi' with 100 per cent screen space, in fact in other states where cinemas have already reopened there is still a big chunk of cinemas which will open only with Sooryavanshi."
Talking about Antim's release date postponement, Shariq Patel, CEO of Zee Studios said, "We haven't decided on the date. When we do so, we shall announce."
When asked about Antim being reported to be released on Diwali, he said, "Woh toh kuchh na kuchh aata rehta hai."
About Eternals, the report adds, "They might not budge putting up a reason that their movie is having a worldwide release. But we wonder where it will find a place in India? Multiplexes hace all locked Rohit Shetty's film all the way for Diwali 2021."
Sooryavanshi also stars Katrina Kaif, Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh. On the other hand, Antim: The Final Truth stars Salman Khan and Aayush Sharma.
Image Source:IMDb/Instagram/SalmanKhan/Eternals/RohitShetty