Guess Who?

On the face of it, the obvious victim is the film that had announced its release date first and one would feel that with the much-coveted date taken, the production house behind the second film should have refrained from choosing the same date. However, sources tell us, the truth is not as simple as that.

Apparently, much before the first film made its announcement, the producers of both films had already had a phone conversation wherein, among other things, the likely release dates of their major films was also discussed. The head honcho at the production house behind the second film shared in confidence that he was looking to block the big date but wasn't going to announce the same till the time was right. The big producer (and he is as big as they get!) asked the partner-producer of the first film whether they had locked their date and was told that no decision had been taken yet. That being so, the solo producer went ahead with planning his production so as to be ready by the earmarked date.

Imagine the producer's surprise, therefore, when subsequently, the other production house publicly announced the very release date that had been discussed during their phone call. Hurt aside, cast and crew dates as also shooting schedules had already been locked and so this producer decided to stick to his guns and also announced the same date recently.

That set the cat among the pigeons and the trade is agog with various theories about what the hidden agendas are. On their part, the production house that announced the date first has quickly assumed the role of martyr and is making hurt noises about how the spirit of fraternity and cooperation is dead in the industry. Obviously, there is no mention of the phone call that preceded their announcement! Worse, some are also trying to present this as a personal battle between the two superstars in the respective films when neither of them was involved in the discussions nor the decisions, given that their primary role is to perform and both films have experienced producers backing them.

Of course, with more than a year to go for the contentious release date, one would assume that the last has not been heard on this kissa clash ka. Hmmm...given all this drama, intrigue and action, maybe some enterprising producer can make a film on these behind-the-scenes twists and turns... and also release this third film on the same date!