One day, ten films

In a never before box office battle, ten films will clash on July 26. Industry experts unsure, makers cool.

It’s never happened before. On July 26, 10 small and medium budget films will fight it out at the box office — Shashant Shah’s Bajatey Raho, Praveen Damle’s Buddha, Arunoday Singh starrer Ek Bura Aadmi, Sunny Deol-Kangana Ranaut’s I Love New Year, Prateik Babbar starrer Issaq, Joe Rajan’s Love U Soniyo, Poonam Pandey’s debut Nasha, Oops A Desi, Planes and Prague.

The-shoot-for-India-s-first-revenge-comedy-Bajatey-Raho-is-completed-and-the-film-is-ready-to-release-on-26th-July-2013

However, July 26, the day when Mumbai saw a deluge in 2005, is considered unlucky by most filmmakers, and hence big banners usually avoid the date. Trade experts are thus baffled by this sudden rush to release films on this day.

“This is something which I don’t think has ever happened before. Ten films on one day is insane. The makers don’t realise that having so many releases on a single day cuts the business of every film,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Adds trade expert Atul Mohan, “They will definitely eat into each other’s business. However, in August, we have three biggies releasing — Chennai Express, Once Upon a Time In Mumbaai Dobara and Satyagraha — so coming in August would be suicidal for small films. July 26 is considered an inauspicious day for all in Maharashtra. In 2005, this was the day when Mumbai was flooded.”

Actor Poonam Pandey says, “This can only be an excuse for makers if their film flops. If viewers want to watch a certain film, they will watch it.”

“This does not affect us. The best content will always stand out and make a mark for itself,” says Krishika Lulla, producer, Bajatey Raho.