With just one week to go, the stage is set for a massive battle at the box office this Diwali. The two big Hindi releases, the horror-comedy Thamma and the intense romance Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, are not just clashing with each other. In an unusual turn of events, they will also face tough competition from a slate of highly anticipated regional films, leading to a major fight for screen space.
A Strong Marathi Contender
Typically, regional cinema avoids clashing with big festive Bollywood releases, but this year is different. The Marathi film industry is coming out strong with Premachi Goshta 2, the sequel to a much-loved 2013 film. The new installment, starring popular actors like Swapnil Joshi and Lalit Prabhakar, has a well-received trailer and is being distributed by a major player, PVR Inox Pictures. While another big Marathi film, Punha Shivajiraje Bhosale, has been postponed, the presence of this sequel alone is enough to shake things up in Maharashtra.
Gujarat And Punjab Join The Fray
The competition doesn’t stop there. The Gujarati film industry is presenting Chaniya Toli, a comedy about village women robbing a bank, which is being called the “Gujarati Money Heist.” Backed by Anand Pandit Motion Pictures and featuring a special appearance by Shaitaan star Janki Bodiwala, the film is expected to be a surprise hit in its home state. Meanwhile, the Punjabi film Godday Godday Chaa 2, a sequel starring superstar Ammy Virk and backed by Zee Studios, is also releasing on Diwali, ensuring a tough fight for screens in the North.
The Big Screen-Sharing Challenge
Trade experts are predicting an intense battle for shows. A trade source noted that while clashes between two Hindi films are common, the addition of strong regional films with big backers and dedicated audiences makes the situation much more complicated. “Exhibitors may have to strike a delicate balance while allocating shows,” the source observed, highlighting the pressure on cinema owners in different territories. The competition will be amplified in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Punjab where regional films have a strong foothold.
Exhibitors Remain Hopeful But Cautious
While the situation looks tricky, some exhibitors are hopeful. A single-screen owner from Maharashtra recalled the 2015 Diwali when two big Marathi films successfully ran alongside Salman Khan’s Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. “Everything was managed well,” he said. However, he also admitted that things have changed a lot in the last ten years, and screen-sharing tactics have become more aggressive. This year’s festive season will be a true test of balancing multiple big films at once.
About Thamma
Thamma is an upcoming horror-comedy film from Maddock Films. It is one of the two major Bollywood films slated for a theatrical release during the Diwali 2025 weekend.
About Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is described as an intense romantic saga. The film is set to clash at the box office with the horror-comedy Thamma on October 21, 2025.
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