Ahmedabad: His working style seems like this: when film seems average or not promising enough, apply other tactics. Go on a great film promotion drive to achieve first few days of success of the film at box office based on hype. Rope in the fan clubs through social media and other means and fill the theater seats in initial phase with committed ones. Make sure the relations with owners of major media houses are encashed enough to circulate good words about the movie. Occupy maximum number of screens at the cost of other competing movies through if possible not entirely ethical tactic.

As release dates of Rakesh Roshan’s Kaabil and Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees were same, exhibitors had promised Kaabil maker Rakesh Roshan that Kaabil and Shah Rukh Khan starer Raees both will get 50-50% of shows. And this exact was the situation till today morning. But in a sudden turnaround today morning onwards Kaabil has been limited to 40-45% screens, lesser than Raees according to Roshan who is shocked and flabbergasted with this development.

Speaking to a website Rakesh Roshan is quoted as saying: “What has happened with my film is extremely unfair. When such clashes take place, the ball is always in the exhibitor’s court. They are the ones who can decide the fate of the films by being fair to both. When the entire world-UK, USA, Australia has divided the show equally, why couldn’t we do the same? It’s a shame! It’s very sad that they succumbed to pressure, that too for a film which is releasing in March (Read Bahubali). These people are powerful but they are using the power in the wrong direction.”

Speaking to a newspaper Rakesh said: “I wont comment upon any other film as that’s not my territory. I will only talk about my film Kaabil. We are shocked, disappointed and terribly hurt! I had not expected this. I spoke to all my concerned exhibitors last week, showed them one hour of the film and requested them that we should go 50-50 screens and they agreed. All over the world from Dubai, UK, Australia and New Zealand they have given us 50-50 screens except in our industry. That’s very hurtful to me and I feel betrayed because after talking to them they did this. With these clashes we have to avoid unfair play. Every producer feels my film is the best where he is concerned and where two films are coming if we avoid this and make both films 50-50 screens then it’s better for the film industry.This way I am straightaway losing 150 crore! Everybody from the producer, distributor, exhibitor and audience lose as they don’t have so much money to spend on two films. It’s not lose-lose situation for all. Exhibitors shook hands with me for 50-50 & turned around this morning. Going by today’s 60-40 screen distribution, my collections will be lower tomorrow but God is with me. In my films I have always made the weak stronger. I make a weak person strong because I don’t see anybody as weak. I have made different films like Karan Arjun, Koi Mil Gaya and Krissh where I show that the common man can rise above anything. I thought even our film industry will rise with the corporates coming in but now I am very shocked to know we have actually taken a backward step by succumbing to such pressures. The exhibitors are very powerful people and they had to set box office right. I am keeping my fingers crossed though I don’t know what the results are going to be but as a producer who has given this film industry 50 years of my work, this practice is not correct.I know Kaabil will register low collections on the first day and I am speaking while my shows are running in theatres, not after or before the success or failure of my film. This is totally uncalled for. There will definitely be a 20 percent difference between the collections of both films.I will QUIT films if such unfair practices continue. I am here to take the industry forward and I have always done that through my films. Why are these so-called ‘big players’ not moving forward?If all the exhibitors come together and say that they will not release the film (Bahubali) then the producer of the film will bow down in front of them. The exhibitors don’t have to succumb to such pressures if they are united.”

Kaabil director Sanjay Gupta has been quoted as saying: “It’s extremely unfair and I am highly disappointed. If anybody wants to compete do it with good content, not through unfair means. This is not the spirit we would like to live in. I woke up to sheer joy and happiness today when I read the Kaabil reviews in the media but when I turned the page it was a nightmare! I was shocked at the number of shows we were assured (50-50 screens) but that’s not the case!”

Hrithik Roshan too tweeted, in support of his father:

Hurt yes. But keeping the grace ..and the faith. #ImWithYouPapa https://t.co/B2hvTZya9S

— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) January 25, 2017

Worth mentioning here that film-maker firm Eros was in 2012 at the receiving end with Ajay Devgn starrer Son of Sardaar losing out to Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jab Tak Hai Jaan in terms of screen count(number of theaters/multiplexes/shows available to screen the film). In 2015, Shah Rukh’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment had distributed Dilwale. This was the first film that Shah Rukh has independently released and hence had to compete with veteran players in the field. Eros decided to release Bajirao Mastani exactly on day Shah Rukh came with Dilwale. Due to its past experience of Shah Rukh Khan starer films leaving negligible number of shows for others, Eros International, which released Bajrangi Bhaijaan on Eid, had apparently laid down a pre-condition before single screen theatres owners then that if they wanted to exhibit the Salman Khan-starrer, then they need to showcase Bajirao Mastani too on its release. The exhibitors filed a case against Eros which was heard in Bombay Sessions Court. The sessions court had ruled in favour of exhibitors and Dilwale, and said that the theatre owners are free to screen any movie that they wish to.

DeshGujarat