A major standoff is happening between Dhurandhar and Avatar Fire And Ash. While advance booking for the Hollywood biggie began on December 5, several cinemas, especially single screen and two screen properties, have yet to start selling tickets for tomorrow’s release on December 19.
The reason behind this delay is reportedly a disagreement between Disney, the studio releasing Avatar Fire And Ash, and cinema owners. According to trade sources, Disney has demanded that single screen theatres allocate all shows to their film. In two screen cinemas, they have asked for 5 or 6 shows. However, exhibitors are pushing back against this directive.
Why Exhibitors Are Hesitating
Cinema owners have a very good reason to resist Disney’s demands. Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, is running very successfully in theatres. Even in its third week, the film continues to pull strong crowds. The steady footfalls during weekdays prove that audiences still want to watch this action thriller.
Exhibitors are confident that the film will continue to find a huge audience even as it enters its third week. They do not want to lose out on this guaranteed business by giving away all their shows to the Hollywood film.
The Negotiation Standoff Continues
Cinema owners have requested Disney to divide shows equally between the two films. After all, exhibitors understand that Avatar Fire And Ash will also be a massive crowd puller. But they believe Dhurandhar deserves its fair share of screens too. However, Disney has not accepted this proposal yet.
As of 8:30 am on December 18, negotiations were still going on between both parties. A middle ground was expected to be reached by the end of the day. Without a resolution, many theatres across Mumbai remain unable to open bookings for December 19.
Which Mumbai Cinemas Are Affected
The list of affected theatres is quite long. Major single screen properties in Mumbai like Gold Cinema Santacruz, Chitra Dadar, Roxy Opera House, Maratha Mandir, Kasturba Malad, Citylight Mahim, and many others are yet to start bookings for tomorrow. Even multiplexes like Inox Nakshatra Dadar, MovieTime Star City, and PVR Le Reve have not opened advance sales.
Two screen plexes like Sun City Vile Parle, Mukta A2 Cinemas Lalbaug, Topiwala Goregaon, and PVR Milap Kandivali are facing the same issue. Shockingly, even certain three screen and four screen properties like Sterling, MovieMax Mira Road, Miraj R Mall Mulund, and Inox Korum Mall Thane are unable to commence ticket sales for either film from December 19 onwards.
The G7 Complex Situation
At Mumbai’s iconic G7 complex, also known as Gaiety Galaxy, the situation is particularly interesting. Advance bookings have opened in four of the seven cinemas, but Galaxy and Gemini are yet to begin. Dhurandhar will continue at Gaiety with three shows from December 19. Until December 18, it was being screened in both Gaiety and Galaxy.
It now remains to be seen whether Avatar Fire And Ash will be accommodated at Galaxy or Gemini, or both. Exhibitors are also waiting to see if Dhurandhar gets additional shows in the other two cinemas at G7.
About Dhurandhar
Dhurandhar is an action thriller film starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role. The film has been performing strongly at the box office and continues to draw audiences even in its third week. More updates about the film’s continued theatrical run are awaited.
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