So what's so special about this date -- 30 September? Okay, it's that [auspicious] time of the year when people start/begin/embark upon new ventures… in this case, release new movies. Also, Sunday, 2 October is Gandhi Jayanti [national holiday], so the business is bound to be optimum on this date. Besides, the flow of biggies begin from 6 October onwards [RASCALS has already created a strong buzz], which explains why producers/Studios are in no mood to release films in the same week as the biggies. But why this mad rush to release so many films on 30 September? I fail to understand that.
As many as 6 Hindi films were slated for release on this date -- FORCE, HUM TUM SHABANA, SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER, SOUNDTRACK, CHARGESHEET and TERE MERE PHERE. Mind you, I am not adding the Hollywood films as well as non-Hindi films that are also slated for release in this week.
What's shocking is that these films are produced/distributed by names who have years of experience. And each of those star known names in the cast. The distributors/film-makers are well aware that it's unhealthy to have so many films clashing in the same week. Of course, the business is bound to be divided, but I wish to pose a pertinent question: How will films manage [ample] screens and shows at cineplexes/single screens? The distributors are bound to feel the heat at metros, despite the presence of so many plexes, and more so at centres that have not more than 5/6/7 cinemas.
Also, most importantly, the audience may not be in a mood to watch so many films in one week, which means that despite all the love and labour that has gone into the making of these film[s], a few of them would suffer only because the release period was not right. I have often heard producers grumbling, when the movie has suffered due to this reason, that their film/s failed due to lack of right theatres/too many films in the week. But when do we ever learn from mistakes committed by others?
I am already hearing protests from various distributors. I am sure, even the film-makers are well aware that it's professional harakiri to have so many films release on a single Friday. But the question is, who will make the first move? Everyone's hoping that at least 2/3 films would shift to a later date, but, as of now, the 6 films continue to stay firm on their decision. Let's hope better sense prevails. Jaago, film-makers jaago!
