The Diwali season in 2024 is about to witness a fierce battle at the box office as two major films—Ajay Devgn’s ‘Singham Again’ and Kartik Aaryan’s ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’—gear up for a grand release on November 1st. These two highly anticipated films have created massive buzz not only for their star-studded casts and high-budget productions but also for an escalating conflict over cinema screen allocation, leading to a formal complaint with the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
The Screen War: T-Series vs. Rohit Shetty’s Team
At the heart of this tussle is the competition to secure more screens in multiplexes and single-screen theaters across the country. The team behind ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’, produced by T-Series, has raised concerns about the disproportionate number of screens being given to ‘Singham Again’, which is directed by Rohit Shetty. T-Series believes the screen distribution should be balanced, proposing a 50-50% share of screens for both films.
However, reports suggest that PVR Pictures, the distributors for ‘Singham Again’, have locked in over 60% of screen time in their ‘PVR-INOX’ theaters for the cop drama. This allocation includes prime-time slots, which could greatly influence early box office numbers, typically crucial for a film’s success during the opening weekend.
The T-Series team has expressed their frustration, claiming that the current arrangement is unfair, as it leaves fewer screens and less favorable show timings for ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’. This sentiment has been echoed by fans of the film who are eagerly awaiting its release. According to sources, some single-screen theaters have also been asked to prioritize ‘Singham Again’, relegating ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ to early morning shows, which traditionally attract fewer viewers.
T-Series Takes the Matter to CCI
In response to this perceived injustice, T-Series filed a formal complaint with the CCI, alleging anti-competitive practices by the makers of ‘Singham Again’. This is not the first time that such a dispute has surfaced in the Indian film industry. Interestingly, Ajay Devgn himself had filed a similar complaint with the CCI back in 2012 when his film ‘Son of Sardaar’ clashed with Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ during the Diwali season. At the time, Ajay alleged that his film was being unfairly denied screens, which led to tensions between him and Karan Johar, the producer of ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’.
While the CCI ultimately did not intervene in the 2012 dispute, choosing instead to let market forces decide, it will be intriguing to see whether the commission steps in this time to mediate the conflict between T-Series and Rohit Shetty’s camp.
Budget Wars: ‘Singham Again’ vs. ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’
Beyond the screen allocation drama, there’s another significant factor adding fuel to the fire—the budget of both films.
‘Singham Again’ comes with a whopping budget of around Rs 350-375 crore, making it one of the most expensive productions in Indian cinema this year. In comparison, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ is a relatively modest affair, with a budget of around Rs 150 crore. Given this disparity, trade experts argue that Rohit Shetty’s team may have an advantage in securing more screens because a larger budget often comes with higher expectations for returns.
However, some industry insiders believe that this shouldn’t influence screen allocation, as both films cater to a large and varied audience, and giving each film an equal chance in theaters is essential for healthy competition.
Star-Studded Casts Bring Their Hype
Both films are heavily packed with big stars, which only adds to the excitement.
‘Singham Again’, the next installment in Rohit Shetty’s cop universe, boasts an ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, and more. Even Salman Khan is rumored to make a special appearance, which has generated immense interest among fans.
On the other hand, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’, directed by Anees Bazmee, features Kartik Aaryan in the lead role, alongside popular actors like Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and Rajpal Yadav. The franchise has been a fan favorite, especially for its mix of comedy, horror, and drama, which makes it a strong contender despite its smaller budget.
Screen Allocation: Just the Start of the Clash
While the battle for screens is undoubtedly intense, trade analyst Girish Johar points out that this struggle is often limited to the first two days after the films release. He explains that after the initial rush, it’s ultimately the content that determines a movie’s long-term success. If one of the films underperforms, multiplexes and theaters typically adjust their shows to accommodate the other film.
This dynamic underscores the importance of creating engaging and entertaining content, as the box office in the following days will reflect the audience’s true preferences.
Censor Board Clears the Way
As the release date approaches, both films have been submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for clearance. According to reports, the submitted runtime of ‘Singham Again’ is 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes), while ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ clocks in at 2 hours and 39 minutes (159 minutes). However, these runtimes may still change depending on the CBFC’s final approval.
Despite the ongoing screen battle, fans of both franchises are eagerly counting down the days until Diwali, when these two films will finally hit the big screen, each vying for box office supremacy.
