Ajay Devgn’s Singham Again and Kartik Aaryan’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 clash over screen allocation, T Series approaches CCI demanding 50-50% split

A source tells indianexpress.com, “PVR Pictures, the distributor of Singham Again, has allocated over 60% of shows in PVR Inox theaters to the film. Furthermore, certain single-screen theaters have been asked to dedicate all shows to Singham Again, with some allowed to screen Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 only in early morning slots.”

According to the source, T-Series decided to seek CCI’s intervention, demanding 50% show sharing for both films. This move comes as no surprise, given the high stakes involved in this clash.

Notably, Ajay Devgn, star of Singham Again, had previously approached the CCI in 2012 when his film Son Of Sardaar faced a similar issue during its clash with Yash Chopra’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan, on Diwali in 2012.

Singham Again boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff. On the other hand, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 features Kartik Aaryan, Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and Triptii Dimri. Both films are set to release on November 1, Diwali day, making this clash one of the most significant box office battles of the year.

The outcome of this dispute will significantly impact the box office performance of both films. The CCI’s decision will be closely watched by the industry and fans alike. Analysing the situation, film producer and film business expert Girish Johar says, “The clash is nothing new in the industry. It’s been ages since we’ve seen films clashing on big weekends and festivals. The point here is that it all depends on demand and supply. By and large, we have multiplexes that do flexible programming. So one may use their might on the first two days, but thereafter it’s the content. Multiplexes automatically change their shows if the other film is not doing well.”

Johar also noted the irony in Ajay Devgn’s situation, “Life has come full circle for Ajay Devgn. I remember his company filed a complaint against Jab Tak Hai Jaan, his film Son Of Sardaar was releasing in a similar manner (in 2012).”

Regarding the CCI’s potential intervention, Johar expressed skepticism, “The last time something like this happened (in 2012), they didn’t say anything. They said let market forces decide. At the end of the day, even if it does intervene, it has to consider a lot of things, like the cost of Singham Again is much higher than Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.”

“I doubt there will be any further cognizance in this matter. T-Series is not a small company; they also have a good line-up of films and distribution network,”Johar concluded. Singham Again’s team is yet to respond to Screen’s request for a comment on the subject.