In all likelihood filmmaker Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will not keep its date with single screens across Mahara-shtra, Goa, Karnataka and Gujarat this Diwali.
In all likelihood filmmaker Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil will not keep its date with single screens across Mahara-shtra, Goa, Karnataka and Gujarat this Diwali.
The Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI) has decided that no single-screen cinema halls will screen movies, which has Pakistani actors. They claim this decision is keeping in mind the sentiments of the country. The association is largely linked to single screen cinema owners, not multiplexes.
The association’s stand could spell fresh trouble for Mr Johar’s big-ticket ADHM, which was slated for a Diwali release. “We have been thinking on this issue for a month and even sought reactions from theatre owners. Everyone decided that the movies starring Pakistani film actors should not be screened,” said Mr Nitin Datar, president of association.
Following the Uri terror attack on September 18 in which 19 jawans were killed, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena had upped their ante and called for a blanket ban on Pakistani artistes. The MNS had even threatened to bash up all Pakistani artiste if they failed to leave India within 48 hours. During the Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, Dadar, party president Uddhav Thackeray had said that the Sena does not endorse the move of Pakistani actors being allowed to work in India, especially when there is tension at the border. Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar called the cinema owners “patriotic” on twitter. “The theatre owners have decided to not screen films with Pakistani actors, I congratulate their decision on behalf of the BJP,” Mr Shelar tweeted.
However, Bollywood trade pandits are quite upbeat about the KJo’s ADHM — the buzz in social media and hullabaloo created by political parties. According to film trade analyst Kumar Mohan, the movie’s trailer and songs have struck a chord with the youth. “They are eagerly waiting for its release. In big cities, the single screen audience can always go to the nearby multiplexes if they want to watch the film,” he said.
He added that ADHM was reportedly made on a budget of about Rs 100 crore. “With 5,000 screens across the country, the opening weekend is expected to do a business of Rs 50- Rs 60 crore. The first day should collect Rs 20-Rs 25 crore. I don't think the ban will affect the movie’s performance in the box office,” Mr Mohan opined.
Film distributor Rajesh Thadani opined that a lot is at stake. “There's a lot of money involved in this movie. I am sure that some solution will be worked around,-" Mr Thadani said. Concerned about the ban, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri said that it would public sentiments. -"The audience will think twice before stepping out to enjoy a movie in the theatres fearing disturbances. I think they all should sit down and resolve the issue,-" he said. Mr Agnihotri added that he believes in absolute freedom of expression. -"But you cannot isolate art from politics. While India is trying to isolate Pakistan not just politically and economically, but also culturally, it is best to suspend ties with the artistes in national interest,-" he said.
