4000 Screens in INDIA / 700 Screens Overseas : KICK

Salman Khan is back to doing what he does best - hogging the limelight at cinemas during Eid. Having scored a triumphant run at the box office in the past, with films like Wanted (2009), Dabangg(2010), Bodygurad (2011) and Ek Tha Tiger (2012), all Eid releases, the actor is all set to once again wow audiences with his upcoming film Kick.

And this time, expect even bigger numbers as the producers, UTV and Sajid Nadiadwala, are going all out to make sure the film reaches every nook and corner of the country. Kick is being touted to have one of the widest releases across the globe in the history of Indian cinema - 4,000 screens in India and 700 screens overseas.

Distributors are comparing the film to Khan's 2009 release Wanted, which helped revive the dying single-screen business. Thanks to the popularity the film has garnered, many single-screens across several towns are even upgrading their cinemas to screen the film.

Vijay Kher of NR Multimedia says, "We are planning to release Kick in 260 screens in the CP circuit alone. There are 30-40 single-screens in our circuit, which doesn't have UFO's digital technology. They still use physical prints. We are planning to screen the film in those screens too and, to do this, exhibitors of those cinema halls are upgrading their screens. The idea is to make sure no one misses watching the film."

BH Basha of Bahar Entertprises says, "I have released almost all Salman Khan films and this film is one of his biggest releases. The film will have the widest release in the Mysore circuit, where we are planning to target 140 to 150 screens. Not only is the film going to have the widest release, it is also one of the most highly priced films. The fact that it is releasing on Eid, a holiday, will triple profits for the industry."

In Rajasthan, the film has attracted a lot of buzz. Sanjay Marudhar of Marudhar Enterprises avers, "We have very high hopes from the film. This is not only Salman's biggest release but also the biggest release in the history of Indian cinema. In Rajasthan, we are planning to release the film across 150 screens. The number is likely to increase as we are seeing a lot of interest from cinemas. Many single-screens in my region which were on the verge of shutting down are going digital to screen the film. They are even redoing the decor of their cinemas to attract more footfalls."

In the East too, Kick has made a huge splash. Arun Mehra of Aum Moviez remarks, "We are planning to release the film across more than 550 screens across the entire Eastern region. The appeal of the film is growing day by day."

SRC