Will Shah Rukh-Sanjay clash?

Will Shah Rukh-Sanjay clash?

ACCORDING TO the industry practice, many makers avoid releasing at the same time so that the fate of their films doesn't suffer. But in this industry of ruthless competition, Sanjay and Shah Rukh seem to be working out some kind of compromise.

Shah Rukh Khan's Om Shanti Om (directed by Farah Khan) produced by his Red Chillies Entertainment and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariyan are both slated for a Diwali release. To be precise, both have set a date for November 9, 2007. Needless to say, both Khan and Bhansali are apprehensive about their films' fate as there's a tremendous amount of money riding on both. A box-office mishap would not only mean a huge financial loss to both but also a dent to their name and fame.

Taking no chances

In the backdrop of such a scenario, both SRK and Bhansali, if sources are to be believed, are not too keen on taking a chance on clashing at the box-office. Instead, the two are said to be in talks about how to avoid the collision and yet do the best by both their films.

A source from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's camp tells us, "It wouldn't work in our favour if Saawariyan releases at the same time as Om Shanti Om. Shah Rukh's film has some big names attached to it, while Saawariyan stars two newcomers."

Saawariyan is the launch pad for two star kids —Ranbir Kapoor (son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh) and Sonam Kapoor (Anil and Sunita Kapoor's daughter). Sanjay has also penciled in Rani Mukherji's guest appearance for added glamour.

While on the other hand, SRK's Om Shanti Om, stars Shah Rukh opposite Preity Zinta, Deepika Padukone, Shreyas Talpade and Malaika Arora. It is also Farah Khan's second attempt at direction (Main Hoon Naa being her first) and this film was a birthday gift to her from best friend Shah Rukh.

Pundits' opinion

However, according to trade pundits, besides SRK, the unique selling point of Om Shanti Om will be 28-odd star item number, which boasts of the who's who of Bollywood: Rishi Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, Rani Mukherji, Kajol, Priyanka Chopra, Shilpa Shetty, Saif Ali Khan, Salman Khan, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Mithun Chakraborty, Govinda and many more stars shaking a leg.

While they opine that Sanjay Leela's master stroke of adding in Rani might prove a box-office boost, since their combination from Black was phenomenal. Rani supports this with, "I'm very happy with my role in Saawariyan and I trust Sanjay. Actually, after Black, I would close my eyes and accept any role he gives me. Just being a part of his set-up is enough for me." He also has the advantage of introducing Ranbir and Sonam who will definitely arouse curiosity, since both are from big film house backgrounds.

SRK's plans

When we quizzed Shah Rukh if he has any plans to postpone the release date of Om Shanti Om to accommodate Bhansali's film considering that both films have a lot at stake, he said, "No, we're slated for a November 9 release. Sanjay hasn't asked me to postpone my film's release, but I will talk to him once I return from London and try to sort this out. I don't want any film to suffer." Shah Rukh is presently still in the UK on vacation with his family.

It figures that SRK would want to consider Sanjay Leela's film too considering the two have worked together in the past. Their director-actor combination for Devdas, did work box-office wonders, while getting Shah Rukh much critical acclaim.

Also in the career direction, he is apparently pinning a lot of hopes on Om Shanti Om, as Chakde from YashRaj Films is his only release before that. Having taken the decision to sign fewer (but good) films, Shah Rukh would definitely want his film to have a clear shot at the box-office.

Bhansali hopeful

Meanwhile, Bhansali, who we're sure won't be very comfortable about the box-office clash either, hinted at finding ways to avert the same! It is definitely important for him, considering he does not churn out films like the YashRaj banner but instead, comes up with a film only when he is ready.

Says the ace director, "Sony, which is distributing Saawariyan, had announced the film's release date at a Press conference in Mumbai a year ago. But we work in the same industry and will naturally want to avoid a clash. It was wonderful and positive to speak to Shah Rukh. He said he'd try his level best to avoid a clash at the box-office." We guess it pays to have given Shah Rukh Devdas earlier.

The bottom line

Nevertheless, whether Shah Rukh and Bhansali can arrive at a decision to avoid this imminent clash is yet to be worked out. But in the worst case scenario, industry insiders believe, it's SRK, who's in a more precarious position.

According to them, Sanjay's last film Black was not only critically acclaimed; it also went on to do very good box-office business as well. Exhibitors and theatres would welcome a Sanjay Leela film with open arms at anytime.

While in comparison, despite all the pre release media hype, Shah Rukh's last release Don, did not fare as well in keeping with the standards of SRK's previous releases. In fact, it is circulated in trade circles that Don did better overseas business. And this is enough to keep the superstar on his toes. He definitely wouldn't like to see his next project, Om Shanti Om, go the Don way. More so when he is also the producer of the project.

But to be fair, the pre-release reports of both films seem to be good. A lot of money has been put into both, also where the look and post production work of the films are concerned. So keep a tab on the proceedings.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/CityHome.asp?xfile=data/citytime s/2007/July/citytimes_July102.xml&section=citytimes& col=