CASH CRUNCH: Should Dear Zindagi, Kahaani 2, Befikre & Dangal Be Postponed?

The industry has been buzzing with whispers that Dear Zindagi (Nov 25), Kahaani 2 (Dec 2), Befikre (Dec 9) and Dangal (Dec 25) might be pushed back owing to lack of cash in several homes. However, SpotboyE.com has it that their makers are in no mood to retreat.

Yesterday, Censor Chief Pahlaj Nihalani even appealed to the producers who have films lined up in near future to think about releasing them on a later date (Postpone Dear Zindagi, Kahaani 2, Befikre And Dangal, Appeals Pahlaj Nihalani, Nov 20).


Image Source: jamura & wn

Director of the Kahaani 2, Sujoy Ghosh, when contacted, says, "We are not changing the date."

Yash Raj Films' spokesperson says, "Befikre will release on December 9 only."

A source says, "Kahaani 2 and Befikre are absolutely sure about their content. Even the Dear Zindagi and Dangal camp is fine; Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan have super products in hand."  

Elaborating on why the industry has decided to not go on the back foot, Jaipur exhibitor D S Bansal says, "We have to counter-attack, else normalcy will never return."


Image Source: twitter/aliaa08 & Kahaani2Movie

Fearing no loss, Kahaani 2 producer Jayantilal Gada says, "My film Kahaani 2 has been made at a budget of only Rs 10 crore. There is no reason why I won't cut even at least. If I don't make a profit, I think the government stands to lose as much as I would; I wouldn't have to pay much taxes. Honestly speaking, I am extremely confident about Kahaani 2."


Image Source: youtube/Eros & Viacom18 Motion Pictures 

However, Rock On 2, Force 2 and Tum Bin, which released post demonetization, did not hit the bull's eye. Says Bansal, "That's right, but why do you forget that while Force 2 was an average film, Rock On 2 had nothing to shout about and Tum Bin never carried any expectations? Give a good film to the people and they will turn up, and it would be still better if that good film is from the list of the anticipated ones."

So who will turn it around? Gada replies, "I think both Dear Zindagi and Kahaani 2 will be the game-changers."

However, trade analyst Amod Mehra is not swayed by the optimism in the exhibition circuit. Says Mehra, "It is suicidal to release big budget films. The only solution is that the ticket rates should be uniformly priced at Rs 200 for weekends and Rs 100 for weekdays. Then see the difference."


Image Source: youtube/UTV Motion Picture & YRF

Adds Bansal, "As Amod says, we have reduced our ticket price. I would say that our business post demonetization has dropped by 60 per cent. But again as I said, let's not run away from it. Let's meet this situation head on. We just need one good film to land and stare at us. We won't be able to ignore it then and the pall of gloom will be lifted. Dear Zindagi should turn the tide and set the ball rolling for others to follow."

However, exhibitor Pankaj Batra (PVR) from East Punjab, differs, "We are in the midst of a sort of crisis. A lot is at stake when it comes to anticipated films like Dear Zindagi, Kahaani 2, Befikre and Dangal.  I hope the industry supports each other and the 4 big films are postponed with a little gap in their new release dates. The 4 films only stand to gain if postponed."

Adds Batra, "Rock On 2 suffered a lot. The movie business in Jaipur has been hit to the tune of 50 per cent. I am not saying that Rock On 2 was a good film, but if people have money in their pockets toh kabhi kabhi thodi halki phulki films bhi nikal jati hain."

A leading Mumbai distributor (on request of anonymity) begs to differ, " Pahlaj Nihalani's suggestion, which came in yesterday, is good in letter but not in spirit. Yahan koi kisika nahin hai. If these people decide to delay their films, they will not have the right Friday to release their films. In such a case, I wouldn't be surprised if some of them then decide to release on the same day. And, that would be suicidal."  

Rayan of PVR Icon (Andheri) chips in, "That would be suicidal, and even chaotic. In such a scenario, we wouldn't know whom to allocate with higher number of shows and they would only end up eating into each other's share."

Manoj Desai, Executive Director of Gaiety-Galaxy-Maratha Mandir, endorses, "Let Dear Zindagi, Kahaani 2, Befikre and Dangal release on schedule. The situation is improving and there is no need to press the panic button. Force 2 did better than Rock On 2, and there is hope."

Adds Rayan, "Demonetization has had an impact on the cinema halls, but it's not that the alarm bells have started to ring. Rock On 2 didn't do well because people didn't like it. We are on an upward curve from the Day 1 of demonetization till now, the growth might be slow but we are not dropping anymore. There is a lot of buzz about Dear Zindagi in our theatres; I haven't opened its Advance Booking yet but I am already getting many inquiries about it. God willing, everything will be fine soon."


Thumbnail Image Source:  twitter/RedChilliesEnt, befikrethefilm, aamir_khan & Kahaani2Movie