The remarkable resurgence in box office numbers witnessed last year has set high expectations for the film industry in 2024. With several major releases slated to coincide over the coming months, cinephiles are in for an exhilarating lineup. From the clash between “Crakk – Jeetegaa toh Jiyegaa” and “Article 370” on February 23, to the collision of “Bade Miyan Chow Miyan (BMCM)” and “Maidaan” on April 10 (Eid), and the face-off between “Emergency” and “Chandu Champion” on June 14, the calendar is packed with excitement. Independence Day will witness the showdown between “Pushpa 2: The Rule” and “Singham Again”, adding to the anticipation.
The clash between “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (BMCM)” and “Maidaan” on Eid, and “Pushpa 2: The Rule” and “Singham Again” on Independence Day, has raised concerns among industry experts. Girish Johar, a trade expert and producer, expresses apprehension about the overlap, particularly between “Pushpa 2: The Rule” starring Allu Arjun and “Singham Again” starring Ajay Devgn, both belonging to established commercial franchises. Speculation arises about the possibility of postponing “Pushpa 2” to avoid cannibalizing each other’s business, especially considering the growing influence of South Indian films in the Hindi belt, as evidenced by the success of “HanuMan”.
Despite clashes, past experiences, such as those with “Gadar 2” and “OMG 2”, have shown that box office battles do not necessarily lead to failure. Sanjay Mehta, a film exhibitor and distributor, recalls the release of “Salaar: Part I” and “Dunki” on Christmas, where audience preferences shifted towards “Dunki” initially due to Shah Rukh Khan’s previous hits. However, adjusting show schedules based on audience response led to a favorable outcome for “Salaar”.
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The year 2024, with its general elections and other events, presents additional challenges for filmmakers in scheduling releases. Taran Adarsh, a trade analyst, emphasizes the limited number of Fridays in a year and the necessity of multiple releases on a single day.
Furthermore, the absence of films featuring the three Khans (Salman, Shah Rukh, and Aamir), as well as A-listers like Ranbir Kapoor, may dampen expectations for the box office. However, the ultimate success of a film depends on its content, with factors such as star cast, social media buzz, and trailer reactions playing a role, but “organic buzz” remaining paramount, according to Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director of PVR INOX Ltd. He believes that exciting clashes in 2024 will invigorate the industry, drawing significant audiences to theaters.