How come Akshay couldn't stop other movies from clashing with his movies before? Last year during the same independence day weekend, John clashed his film with Akshay. Saaho moved probably because a solo release date was available.
I agree that if not for Akshay or any major male star the film wouldn't have had enough bargaining power to have a solo release on independence day - but that's because of the unfortunate way male stars hijack major dates - that's a topic for another day
My point was, all things being kept same and removing Akshay, the film would still have had an easy chance of a 20-22 cr opening. Essentially it would have made little difference to the audience even if Akshay were not there.
MM isn't a solo release Batla House also released on that day. Sahoo's bargaining was effected due to having a AkkI movie at the same.time. or else they could have easily gotten the lion share of screens that is what I am saying.
See all things remaining same is an ideal scenario where audience have no choice but to choose between Batla House and MM(without Akki), with MM having majority screen numbers. But that would need the theaterwalas and distributors to have confidence in the cast's popularity, which I don't think anyone has currently in the members of MM(Akki asides).
Audience having no choice on a double Holiday, can make any movie get good opening, but that wouldn't happen in real life. Without Akki, Batla House would have gotten more screens, taking that Sahoo moved regardless.
See the point is the name Akshay gave this movie weight, otherwise, this isnt Vidya of early 2010s or Sonakshi of sometimes back. Had this movie had ensemble of Deepika/Katrina/Alia/Anushka/Priyanka/Kangu alongside Vidya, than it would have been a different thing, as these names are big collectively. And would have gotten more bargaining power.
Anupamaa
Cricket
1