Ever since the concerned Maharashtra authorities had announced that theatres and auditoriums in Maharashtra will open after 22nd October 2021, there has been a flurry of fascinating release date announcements, particularly from the Bollywood industry. The news came as a pleasant surprise for all stakeholders of the film industry in India as ticket sales from Maharashtra account for roughly 30% of total revenues.
As more Bollywood films are revealing their revised release dates, it was observed that some of the much-anticipated titles are now set to clash at the Indian box office with some equally exciting Hollywood Marvel and DC movies for the years 2021 and 2022.
For instance, Rohit Shetty’s cop actioner ‘Sooryavanshi’ starring Akshay Kumar is being slated for a Diwali 2021 release, that is, the first November weekend. Marvel fans might already be aware that the big-ticket superhero film ‘Eternals’ is also geared up for a theatrical release on 5th November 2021. That’s certainly a big clash on the cards.
Another of Akshay Kumar’s films namely ‘Bachchan Pandey’, which is scheduled to release on 4th March 2022 now shares its theatrical release date with Matt Reeves’ directorial DC superhero film project ‘The Batman’ starring Robert Pattinson in the lead role.
Then, on 25th March 2022, Aneez Bazmee’s ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’ starring Kartik Aaryan, Tabu, and Kiara Advani is eyeing for a theatrical release. Incidentally, on the same day, the highly anticipated Marvel film ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ is also expected to come out. The film features Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role and alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, and Rachel McAdams.
Later next year, Tiger Shroff’s explosive actioner helmed by Ahmed Khan namely ‘Heropanti 2’ is slated to release on 6th May 2022. Its release will make way for another interesting box office clash with Taika Waititi’s Thor sequel titled ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ starring Hollywood hunk Chris Hemsworth and Christian Bale, amongst others.
Although the aforementioned Bollywood films and Marvel & DC superhero movies have their own fan bases and target audiences, nevertheless, it will be interesting to see whether or not the makers would budge or will retain the release dates that have just been announced.