Soon after it was announced that theatres will be opening from October 15, 2020, in new unlock guidelines, movie lovers are waiting to watch movies on the big screens. Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif starrer Sooryavanshi directed by Rohit Shetty was slated to release on March 24, 2020, just a few days before the nationwide lockdown was announced. Now there were reports making the rounds that the film is likely to release during Diwali weekend this year.
However, Reliance Entertainment Group CEO Sibashish Sarkar confirmed that Sooryavanshi will not be hitting the screens during the festival of lights. During an interaction with PTI, he stated, "One thing is clear, we are not releasing any film on Diwali. No other decision has been taken. It is not possible to release a film on Diwali now. As of now, all cinema houses are not opening from October 15. Even if it opens on November 1, how can you release a film in 10 or 15 days notice period."
Sarkar further said, "We are not sure whether we will change both 'Sooryavanshi' or '83' or we will just shift one film. It is definitely clear December to March is the time (to release films), this is the realistic timeline."
While an exhibitor told Pinkvilla, "The initial plan won't stand anymore. Reliance Entertainment had discussed with Akshay Kumar and Rohit Shetty and planned a Diwali 2020 release for Sooryavanshi. They had also blocked the Christmas date for Ranveer Singh starrer '83. But the theatres were expected to open up by August then. Now, it seems unlikely that Sooryavanshi will release on Diwali. They are looking at a complete rejig of dates with the cop drama hitting the marquee on December 25, instead of the sports drama. Kabir Khan's '83 will mostly be pushed to the first quarter of 2021."