Don' will be no less exciting: Ritesh

Excerpts from an interview:

There are reports that Yashraj Films has blocked dates for Dhoom 2 and so Don will not get release at decent places. Do you plan to postpone the release now?

From the reports I cannot confirm that Yashraj films will be doing something such. As I'm shooting one of my songs at Yashraj studious they are well aware that I'll be releasing my film during that time. Diwali is the ideal time for big films and I've planned to release my film at that moment. Moreover it is not possible to block a film at the theatres. I think we both will have a profitable share once our film releases. Multiplexes have multiple screens and they just can't run only Dhoom 2. If theirs is a big banner, then no Shah Rukh Khan film is small. All this talks are just rumours as we are all friends.

But owing to 'Krrish', which released with 980 prints other films are suffering, as the theatres are only running this film. What if Yashraj do the same?

Yashraj are big distributors and they have distribution network all over. But there are distributors for other films as well. We have a position in the market and the distributors are aware of it. My film boasts of big stars and that is an advantage. We may be only two film old compared to Yashraj but the distributors are aware of the work we've done. All will get their due.

I am planning to release 900 to 1000 prints of Don. We'll be catering to all multiplexes because more the shows the more is your chance to profit. As its festival time there will be bigger releases other than this two.

Do you think that it'll be enough to compete with Dhoom 2?

I'm not in a rat race and so the question of competition doesn't arise here. I know the potential and strength of my film and I'm confident about it. Farhan has made a wonderful film.

The USP of Dhoom 2 is pairing of Hrithik and Aishwarya with an original storyline. But Don is a remake. What is your strategy to market your film?

'Don' will be no less exciting and the interest level will be no less for it. There is a nostalgia factor laced with it. Audience will surely crave to watch Shah Rukh Khan in the role of Don. The original film was made three decades back and the new representation will surely excite them. The film is stylishly made, with great locations and the production values are worth mentioning. We've extensively covered locations from Paris to Malaysia. Also the film is loaded with suspense, good music, and a great storyline.

How are your plans to promote the film?

The promos of the film will be something different. We're toying with the idea of creating different promos for the film and will be changing the promos as the release date comes nearer. There are also plans to give attractive posters to the distributors as well

So you are all set to release the film during Diwali?

Did Shah Rukh Khan quote an excessive price for Don?

Shah Rukh Khan never looks at his work from the money angle only. All these are false that he charges huge package for a film. Rather I'll tell you that he is one of the most reasonable actors we have in the industry. He can ask whatever he feels like, but he never does anything such.

Did Shah Rukh ask for the distribution territory of the film?

Shah Rukh has never asked for it, nor does Excel Entertainment have any related plans. It doesn't fit our production house's marketing strategy.