Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh starrer Padmavat, (previously Padmavati) directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali is past all the hurdles and is now finally releasing on January 25, 2018. After much delays and discussions, the film will be seeing the light of day on the Republic Day weekend. However, though it will enjoy benefit from the long weekend, it is not the only film vying for audiences’ attention. Akshay Kumar’s Padman is releasing on the same day as Padmavat.
Big or small, a clash at the box office means that films will eat into each other’s business. For a multi-crore budgeted film like Padmavat where stakes are high, what does releasing alongside two more films mean for the film? We decided to speak to a trade expert to get some insight.
Trade analyst and exhibitor Akshaye Rathi was of the opinion that irrespective of the delays caused in bringing out the film, it will do well. Rathi opines, “There are some films that require a national holiday or a festival or long weekend release. But then there are some that get footfalls, score numbers irrespective of the day the curtain raises. Padmavat is one such film. It is too grand to get affected by these delays.”
Likening it to Prabhas starrer Baahubali, which became the biggest blockbuster in the history of Indian cinema, Rathi further said, “Baahubali: The Conclusion released in April, a month that is not seen as favourable to come out with a big project since it is a time when exams are going on, there’s Ramzan, followed by vacation. But the film went on to create humongous records. So it doesn’t really matter when Padmavat releases or with how many other films and if that it gets a long weekend or not.”
Rathi is sure that the film will do phenomenal business the day it opens, “I want to see Indians, weather Rajputs or from film fraternity, come together and feel proud about a great film,” shared Rathi, further expressing hope that by the time Padmavati releases, the entire Rajput community would be cheering for it.
We asked him if the delay and controversies will put a dent in the interest for the film and Rathi again cited the Baahubali example, “Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) promised Baahubali: The Conclusion in December 2016. But the film was postponed and released only in April 2017. It didn’t affect the anticipation at all. Padmavat as well is a mega project and the hysteria around the film will not die down with these delays.” Rathi also pointed out that Ranveer, Shahid and Deepika have ardent following and their fans have been waiting. “Padmavat will get great response at the box office,” he stated. ALSO READ: PadMan Makers Unperturbed About The Film’s Clash With Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati
Trade expect Komal Nahata had earlier told India.com that Bhansali should target R-day weekend. “Padmavat should now release on the Republic Day weekend. The long weekend will ensure good opening day /weekend and first week figures and give the film a good start,” Nahata had opined.
Now, with the film’s final dates being out and knowing that it will release along with Padman, wasn’t this clash better avoided? “In this case, Padman needs to worry, not Padmavat,” said Nahata further stating that it’s always a smaller film that gets affected by a clash not something as grand as Padmavat.