Theatres haven’t even opened up fully and normalcy is far from returned yet in the beleaguered Indian film industry. Still, bad blood threatens to spill over between two giants of Indian films. Ever since SS Rajamouli announced the Dusshera holiday for the release of his much-awaited RRR Movie, there have been hectic discussions, negotiations and pacifying moves going on behind the scenes. That is because, in grabbing the Dusshera date for his RRR, Rajamouli has set up a direct clash with Boney Kapoor’s Ajay Devgn starrer Maidaan. Maidaan had taken up the Dusshera date for release last year itself. Hence, if trade experts are to be believed, it is Rajamouli who is in the wrong here.
The most vexing aspect of the entire issue is that Ajay Devgn is a part of both movies – he is the lead actor in Maidaan, and has a cameo role in RRR. Boney Kapoor, the producer of Maidaan, has flatly refused to budge from his Dusshera release plans for Maidaan. In an interview with a prominent trade publication, he has outright labelled Rajamouli’s move as “unethical”. Rajamouli says it is not in his hands – it is a matter decided by the producers and distributors; he’s just the director.
No one is willing to broach the issue with South distributors. The presence of two heavyweight actors from the South, Ram Charan and Jr NTR has skewed things in RRR’s favour. The two actors together on screen means the film is a surefire hit if released on the auspicious Dusshera holiday. Diwali is not as big a draw down south as Dusshera is. Producer D. V. V. Danayya too has expressed helplessness in managing the situation, citing pressure from the distributors to retain the Dusshera date.
Meanwhile, Bollywood and theatre-owners in the North and West are shocked at the obstinacy of their southern counterparts. In view of the tough last year for the film industry, everyone expected greater cooperation and symbiosis amongst industry folks. This tussle between the two heavyweight sides is shocking, to say the least.
Prominent film distributors Sunil Wadhwa, Ramesh Sippy, Akshaye Rathi, DS Bansal, and trade analysts such as Taran Adarsh are clearly on Maidaan’s side. They are unanimous in their view that SS Rajamouli and producer D. V. V. Danayya must be more considerate and bat for industry brotherhood, rather than pushing their own agenda.
Hectic negotiations are on on both sides. Let’s see who blinks first!