This Independence Day is set to be a blockbuster spectacle with three major films hitting the screens. Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor return in the highly anticipated horror comedy Stree 2, while John Abraham and Sharvari star in the mass action entertainer Vedaa. Akshay Kumar rounds off the trio with his multi-starrer comedy Khel Khel Mein.
It’s a rare occasion to see such a significant clash of three high-profile films, a phenomenon not witnessed in years. The release date of August 15, 2024, will witness this unique clash, adding a layer of excitement and competition in the industry.
Such a crowded release date is almost unheard of, especially given the historical context where clashes between two major films have been the norm rather than three.
Madhur Bhandarkar On Stree 2, Vedaa & Khel Khel Mein Clash
During a recent chat with Bollywood Hungama, celebrated director Madhur Bhandarkar, who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his debut film Trishakti (1999), shared his thoughts on the current trends in the industry.
Bhandarkar reflected on how the audience’s tastes have evolved. He said, “The audience today is very choosy. Everybody can’t make a film like Baahubali or Kalki 2898 AD. For the rest of the films, they feel that it’ll be out on OTT soon and hence, they don’t watch it in cinemas.”
Bhandarkar also addressed the impact of technological advancements on cinema. He acknowledged that while technology is here to stay, it doesn’t spell the end for theatres.
“You cannot challenge technology. It is here to stay but cinema will also survive. In the 1980s, it was said that cinemas wouldn’t survive because of video cassettes. Then came cable television and now there’s the OTT boom. Yet, cinemas continue to survive,” he said.
He noted, however, that audience selectivity remains a challenge. “The difference is that the audience is selective. If three big films arrive on the same day, will a working-class person have the money to watch all three? At the most, he’ll watch one film,” Bhandarkar pointed out. This highlights the tough competition these films will face and the potential impact on their box office collections.
Filmmaker On Entourage Cost Debate
On the subject of actors’ fees and film budgets, Bhandarkar emphasised the importance of balancing costs. “I always tell my actors, ‘Please don’t put the load on the film (by charging excessive fees).’” He shared insights into his own production process, stating, “I made India Lockdown (2022) in 25 days while Babli Bouncer (2022) in 41 days. I believe that a film should work. If the film works, the actors will also benefit. To think that ‘Picture chale na chale, mera paisa toh aa gaya’ is not fair. If the producer doesn’t survive, how will he make his next film?”
As these three films prepare for their big release, the competition promises to be fierce. Audiences will have plenty of choices, but only time will tell which film will emerge victorious.
(Also read: EXCLUSIVE: Stree 2 Set To Score Biggest Opening Of The Year, Vedaa Decent And Khel Khel Mein Struggles Badly)
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