The Indian film industry is witnessing a significant clash Pushpa 2 vs Baby John two major releases: “Pushpa 2: The Rule,” starring Allu Arjun, and “Baby John,” featuring Varun Dhawan. This confrontation has led to disputes over screen allocation during the lucrative Christmas season, causing tensions between distributors and theater owners.
Background of Pushpa 2 vs Baby John
“Pushpa 2: The Rule” has been a box office sensation since its release, achieving record-breaking earnings and maintaining a strong presence in theaters. As the Christmas season approaches, “Baby John,” produced by Atlee and starring Varun Dhawan, is set for a December 25 release, aiming to capitalize on the holiday audience.
Screen Allocation Dispute of Pushpa 2 vs Baby John
Anil Thadani of AA Films, the distributor for “Pushpa 2,” has reportedly demanded that multiplex chains allocate 50% of their screens to “Pushpa 2” during the Christmas period. This request would leave the remaining screens to be divided between “Baby John” and other releases like “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Theater owners have expressed concerns, arguing that such an allocation would unfairly disadvantage new releases.
In response to resistance from theater owners, Thadani allegedly withheld the Key Delivery Message (KDM) for “Pushpa 2’s” third weekend, effectively threatening to pull the film from theaters unless his demands were met. This move led to a standoff, with some multiplexes considering discontinuing “Pushpa 2” screenings to ensure fair play for upcoming films.
Industry Reactions
Atlee, the producer of “Baby John,” has downplayed the notion of a direct clash between the two films, stating that “Baby John” is releasing in the fourth week of December, not head-to-head with “Pushpa 2.” He emphasized that there is no conflict and expressed confidence in the audience’s ability to appreciate both films.
Current Status
As of now, discussions between distributors and theater owners are ongoing. While “Pushpa 2” continues its successful run, the outcome of these negotiations will determine the screen allocation for both films during the critical holiday season. The industry is closely monitoring the situation, as it highlights the challenges of balancing the interests of blockbuster holdovers and new releases in a competitive market.
Conclusion
The dispute between “Pushpa 2” and “Baby John” underscores the complexities of film distribution during peak seasons. The resolution of this conflict will have implications for future releases and the dynamics between distributors and exhibitors in the Indian film industry.