Not a starry welcome

PVR Cinemas is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that Taare Zameen Par records higher collections than Welcome, reports Hiren Kotwani.

With the release of Halla Bol pushed back to January 11, 2008, the battle lines for box office supremacy have been drawn up.. between Taare Zameen Par and Welcome.

According to trade sources, PVR Cinemas, which is venturing into movie production with the Aamir Khan kiddie flick, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that Taare… records higher collections than Firoz Nadiadwala's Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Katrina Kaif and Mallika Sherwat comic caper.

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A source informs, "The best and multiple shows at PVR multiplexes have been booked for Taare Zameen Par. In Mumbai Welcome hasn't got any shows at either the Juhu or Mulund 'plex. Even in north India, PVR has ensured that Taare.. reigns, at least in its theatres."

Fair playclaims
Sanjeev Bijli of PVR however refuted the rumours insisting that both films will be screened at the five-six screen theatres.

"The number of shows would depends on the duration of the movie. If the film is short, it will automatically get more shows," he pointed out.

Apparently, Nadiadwala is upset with the theatre chain's attitude. However, for the moment he doesn't want to get caught in a war of words. When we tried contacting him for his side of the story, he excused saying he was busy in a series of meetings.

Meanwhile, a clearer picture of Bijli's claims will emerge only when the films release on December 21.