Ajay Devgn: Yash Raj Films has been lying at every - Page 11

To state that Ajay Devgn is hurt due to ongoing imbroglio would be stating the obvious. However, one conversation with him and you know that the man is venting it out like never before. Always a balanced guy who stays to the point in each and every conversation of his, he is maintaining an emotional equilibrium even in current scenario though one can pretty much see that he isn't willing to take it lying down. Stating things as they are and only demanding a fair consideration of the current situation, Ajay makes himself heard and that too pretty strong.

How does the release stand in the current scenario?
See, matter is in the court but deep inside, everyone knows what is right and what is wrong. In a legal battle, you are not supposed to comment anything. But, all I can say is that at least, industry and trade people know what has transpired so there is no point getting into that debate. Whatever I say is something that you would write from my point of view and you would add from your point of view.

How has the industry reaction been so far?
(Smiles) Well, mera bhala ho yaa naa ho par kam se kam industry people are calling up to say that hamara bhala toh ho jaayega. They (Yash Raj Films) are talking about being fair and all, par'jo baatein ho rahi hain uske hisaab se toh sabko pata hai, that it is all rubbish. If you talk about fair, then I will give you a simple example. Main to yahi bol raha hoon that I don't want any compensation or their release to be stopped. I am not asking for any damages. I am being fair.

So what next?
I am asking the law to be fair. If they (YRF) give a statement that exhibitors can release at their will, then that's what I am also saying. Main keh raha hoon ki aaj saare exhibitors ko bolo ki jo aapne Ek Tha Tiger ke saath contract sign kiye hain usko bhool jaayo. Unki marzi hai ki kaunsi picture release karni hai aur woh haath ke haath decide kar lein ki jisko jiske saath jaana hai woh jaaye. Ab fair hai toh fair hai! Main kisi ko phone nahi karoonga ki meri picture lagaao aur woh kisi ko phone naa karein ki meri picture lagao. Bass'baat khatam! Jis exhibitor ko lagaani hai woh wahi picture lagaae!

You seem confident...
Today, even you know the situation, which exhibitor has to put which movie. You are from the trade, so you understand. I think you can't be fairer than that!

Any actor or producer would want to enjoy his film's release, be it Diwali or any other time of the year...
[Interrupts] I am not enjoying it all. In fact, this is all unnecessary. We have seen the film and are so happy and confident about what we have made. In such a scenario, we should be enjoying the moment, but we are not. In fact, given a chance, I would have wanted to celebrate before release itself but I am unable to do that.

Hasn't the current situation left a bad taste in your mouth?
Honestly, these are controversies you don't want to be in. I have never been into controversies for last 20 years but I have been in today. I would have been all the more excited about the film if not for such distractions. Aakhir hamaari film ka buzz sabko maloom hai.

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/4166

That Ajay Devgn [

Earlier, Devgn, producer of SOS, had filed a complaint against YRF, alleging anti-competitive practices as the latter had signed exclusive release agreements with single screen exhibitors, which Devgn said was to block SOS.

While the Competition Commission of India has rejected the complaint, SOS will be releasing in 1,000-1,200 screens, of which single screens will be 400-500.

SOS will open in 350 screens abroad simultaneously on November 13. Film industry experts say while in multiplexes, the release ratio of JTHJ and SOS is 65:35, in single screens it is 70:30, across India.

Independent film distributor Suniel Wadhwa said, "This Diwali [ Images ] seems to be big bonanza for the producers, distributors, exhibitors and audiences. Jab Tak Hai Jaan, the late Yash Chopra [ Images ] dream project, is most awaited as he has directed a movie after a gap of eight years.

Chopra's foresight was always futuristic as audience have grown watching his films and to capture today's generation, it has female leads like Katrina Kaif [ Images ] and Anushka Sharma [ Images ] being paired with the hottest star on earth, Shah Rukh Khan."

While a few experts are giving a thumbs up to JTHJ, senior film critic Vinod Mirani said that YRF's move of blocking single screens may not help much. "Single screens watchers will have more affinity towards an action film such as SOS. Moreover, JTHJ's length and the fact that music has still not picked up, will not go down well with the movie goers."

Meawwhile, for SOS, Wadhwa adds, "SOS looks entertaining as it is remake of Maryada Ramana directed by Raja Mouli. A proven hit in Telugu. It has its own space and already captured audience which has a segment of mass appeal."