Arm- twisting starts to book single single screens for Chennai Express and OUATIMA has started, with both UTV and Balaji pulling out all the stops to get as many single screens as possible for their Films.
With just over 2 months to go for the biggest clash of year, the producers/ distributors have started to book as many single screen cinemas possible for their respective films. UTV which is releasing Karan Johar's Yeh Jawaani Hain Deewani all over has added a clause to give prints of YJHD only to those Single Screen cinemas in Mumbai Circuit which agree to play Shah Rukh Khan/UTV's Eid Release Chennai Express.
Balaji also did the same when they released their Ek Thi Daayan and Shootout at Wadala , giving them only to those single screens which agreed to play OUATIMA this eid at their cinemas. Balaji will be distributing Once Upon…….. in Mumbai Circuit with help from Raksha Entertainment.
Now coming to the most important thing about response of Single Screen cinemas regarding these clauses, "A- listed single screens are showing more interest to screen OUATIMA where as "B and C" centers are in favor of screening Chennai Express.
Both Studios claim to be playing fair when it comes to booking cinemas for their films is concerned but a silent backdoor battle has started to come out trumps.
Lets wait and watch to see this silent battle come out in open when the D-Day (8,August 2013) fast approaches.
13