Raees to move?

RAEES TO MOVE

The SRK-starrer will avert a clash with Salman, instead it might take on either Varun, Akshay or Hrithik's films

Upala KBR

Looks like the clash of SRK-starrer Raees and Salman Khan's Sultan is going to be averted after all. Both films were set to release on Eid this July. It is learnt that the makers of Raees are going to announce their decision in a couple of days. They want to make the announcement before the release of Sultan trailer (along with Fan, releasing this Friday), to avoid unnecessary speculation that the Salman's power-packed trailer caused them to push their date.

A trade source applauds the decision, "It's a sensible decision. Everyone knows Salman reigns the BO on Eid as it has been happening for the last three years. Which is why, the makers (Dholakia and producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar) of Raees have decided to shift the release date of the film to July 29. While the film is complete, they don't want to take any chances with Salman Khan, who is a huge draw on Eid. In 2014, his Kick release had made over '300 crore while last year Bajrangi Bhaijaan crossed the '600 crore-mark worldwide. The producers have till now denied the postponing of Raees as they wanted to announce it before the trailer of Sultan, which comes with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Fan on April 15."

Two big films clashing on the same date is not good for business. Both films suffer. One more than the other. Last year, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani clashed with Rohit Shetty's Dilwale and the latter did not fare as well as the former. Now SRK and Excel have decided it is practical not to clash with Salman on Eid. They are now looking for a new release date in July or August. Says an insider, "The two dates they are looking at, are July 29 (Dhishoom) and August 12 (Rustom). Now, the twist in the tale is the announcement over the weekend, that Mohenjo Daro will release the same day as Rustom.

An industrywallah adds, "I doubt if the makers will choose to lock horns with Dhishoom, because it stars Varun Dhawan, who played SRK's younger brother in Dilwale. Also, it would not be fair to producer Sajid Nadiadwala. Sajid Nadiadwala's Baaghi, starring Tiger Shroff, was to release on April 14 initially but Raees was announced on that date and so he moved his date. But this time it looks like Sajid will not move, because that date is very special to him. That date has special emotional significance because Kick released on that date."

That leaves the producers of Raees with August 12. But with three films in the mix now, that too looks unlikely. While they could have taken on Akshay Kumar " SRK last clashed with the actor in the by-now-infamous Happy New Year vs Once Upon a Time In Mumbaai 2 " it is highly unlikely they will take on both Akshay and Hrithik.