Single Screens Breach Bajirao Contract For Dilwale, Face Court Hearing Tomorrow
Here's the latest update from the world of Bollywood. We bet you wouldn't want to miss this. Read on for details... This fight has no end
It's tough to ignore Shah Rukh Khan. Many single screen owners have realised this after the public came scurrying to their ticket windows, saying they would be unfair to their patrons if they screen only Bajirao Mastani and not Dilwale from December 18.
Tomorrow, however, they might have to eat humble pie in Bombay High Court for giving in to the demand.
SpotboyE has it that Bajirao Mastani producer Sunil Lulla of Eros has sent out a legal notice to all such screens and even promptly filed a case in Bombay High Court. The hearing is slated for tomorrow at 4.30 pm.
For those who've come in late, Eros had booked a large number of single screens from December 18 onward in Bombay Circuit, Delhi, Rajasthan and many other places in India, imposing a condition that they'll not screen any other film except their Bajirao Mastani for at least a week. The studio had a whiff of Dilwale hitting the screens on the same day as their project in May itself. So they had a simple bait- Tanu Weds Manu Returns. They distributed the sequel across single screens on the condition that the theatres would screen only Bajirao Mastani when it releases (Shah Rukh Vs Deepika War Gets Nastier, Sep 23).
So which single screen owners have been called at Bombay High Court for violating the contract? A source says, "This morning, Rahul Aksar (who is also a distributor of Dilwale) opened the advance booking of the SRK starrer in his Churchgate theatre Eros. Inder Raj Kapoor did the same in his theatre Excelsior. A few others like Vinay Choksi (Gaiety, Galaxy) were about to follow suit. News reached Lulla, who swung into action to safeguard his interests. Lulla did no wrong because Aksar and Kapoor have at least 300 single screens between them in Bombay Circuit. If they are allowed to get away, many other players will also jump onto the bandwagon."
So, where do Aksar, Kapoor & Co go from here? Says the source, "These guys will fight the case based on the loopholes, if any, in the contract. If they lose the case, they will have no option but to release only Bajirao in all four shows."
The contract was violated simply because single screen owners have developed cold feet over releasing only Bajirao. Reveals the source, "If Dilwale does well and Bajirao does not, they would stand to lose a lot of money. That's their worry. And who wouldn't like to safeguard his business interests?"
A leading exhibitor (on request of anonymity) adds, "Tomorrow's Bombay High Court verdict will play a substantial role in the collections of both films. This heady clash is getting interesting by the minute."
Readers, tell us who do you think will win this battle? Dilwale or Bajirao Mastani? Tell us in the 'Comments' section below or on facebook.com/SpotboyE or twitter.com/SpotboyEtheshow
Image Source: Manav Manglani, twitter/deepikapadukone & Red Chillies Entertainment
Tomorrow, however, they might have to eat humble pie in Bombay High Court for giving in to the demand.
SpotboyE has it that Bajirao Mastani producer Sunil Lulla of Eros has sent out a legal notice to all such screens and even promptly filed a case in Bombay High Court. The hearing is slated for tomorrow at 4.30 pm.
For those who've come in late, Eros had booked a large number of single screens from December 18 onward in Bombay Circuit, Delhi, Rajasthan and many other places in India, imposing a condition that they'll not screen any other film except their Bajirao Mastani for at least a week. The studio had a whiff of Dilwale hitting the screens on the same day as their project in May itself. So they had a simple bait- Tanu Weds Manu Returns. They distributed the sequel across single screens on the condition that the theatres would screen only Bajirao Mastani when it releases (Shah Rukh Vs Deepika War Gets Nastier, Sep 23).
So which single screen owners have been called at Bombay High Court for violating the contract? A source says, "This morning, Rahul Aksar (who is also a distributor of Dilwale) opened the advance booking of the SRK starrer in his Churchgate theatre Eros. Inder Raj Kapoor did the same in his theatre Excelsior. A few others like Vinay Choksi (Gaiety, Galaxy) were about to follow suit. News reached Lulla, who swung into action to safeguard his interests. Lulla did no wrong because Aksar and Kapoor have at least 300 single screens between them in Bombay Circuit. If they are allowed to get away, many other players will also jump onto the bandwagon."
So, where do Aksar, Kapoor & Co go from here? Says the source, "These guys will fight the case based on the loopholes, if any, in the contract. If they lose the case, they will have no option but to release only Bajirao in all four shows."
The contract was violated simply because single screen owners have developed cold feet over releasing only Bajirao. Reveals the source, "If Dilwale does well and Bajirao does not, they would stand to lose a lot of money. That's their worry. And who wouldn't like to safeguard his business interests?"
A leading exhibitor (on request of anonymity) adds, "Tomorrow's Bombay High Court verdict will play a substantial role in the collections of both films. This heady clash is getting interesting by the minute."
Readers, tell us who do you think will win this battle? Dilwale or Bajirao Mastani? Tell us in the 'Comments' section below or on facebook.com/SpotboyE or twitter.com/SpotboyEtheshow
Image Source: Manav Manglani, twitter/deepikapadukone & Red Chillies Entertainment
