KANK sandwichd btwn 11 releases on Aug 11

Is KANK being sandwiched from all ends while it gets ready for a release on August 11? Looking at sheer volume of films releasing around it, it does appear so but the fact remains that there is not much impact on the film's fortune when one goes through the list.

As per trade sources, on August 4 there are as many as 9 films slated for release. They are Ahista Ahista, Anthony Kaun Hai?, Jaana - Let's Fall In Love, Katputhli, Manoranjan, Rehguzar, Rocky - The Rebel, Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar and Unns. Then a week later 2 more films releases - 'Zamaanat' and 'Bhoot Unkle'. Well, if one does some simple mathematics, it is virtually impossible to accommodate 12 new releases, until and unless the distributors settle down to showing just 2-3 shows for each of the films.

Even if one keeps this logic aside, one can see numerous releases that have been pushed along for months [and even years] now. While 'Zamaanat' is the veteran in this regard with the release date being announced on innumerous occasions for last 1 year, 'Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar' too is an old movie that came closest to being released last year. 'Rehguzar' and 'Unns' too have been hanging around for last few months with no real instance of a release date being finalized while promotion for smallies like 'Katputhli' and 'Manoranjan' have not even begun, let alone them being in a comfortable position to be released.

This brings the count of films to 5 i.e. Ahista Ahista, Anthony Kaun Hai?, Jaana - Let's Fall In Love, Rocky - The Rebel and Bhoot Unkle. While 'Bhoot Unkle' may eventually release a week after KANK, it may be hara-kiri of sorts to arrive straight after a biggie. On the other hand 4 films releasing a week before KANK too won't be a great idea either since a) All eyes would be set on KANK and b) Each of the 4 flicks would end up eating into each other's business.

So which are the films that may still manage to survive the might of KANK? While films like 'Jaana - Let's Fall In Love' and 'Rocky - The Rebel' could wait further for a more opportune time, our take for the releases on August 4 are 'Ahista Ahista' and 'Anthony Kaun Hai?' since these are the only two films that look set for a release because of decent publicity. Also while 'Ahista Ahista' boasts of good music and fresh pairing of Abhay-Soha, 'Anthony Kaun Hai?' looks like a zingy popcorn entertainer that brings Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi together in a film set in Bangkok.