SRK, Ranbir Kapoor express why they avoided box office clash with their next films

Two big box office clashes have been averted recently. Shah Rukh Khan’s Jab Harry Met Sally was supposed to clash with Akshay Kumar’s Toilet: Ek Prem Katha on 11 August. But the former will now be released a week earlier on 4 August. 

Ranbir Kapoor’s Sanjay Dutt biopic too was supposed to release alongside Salman Khan’s biggie, Tiger Zinda Hai on 22 December. But the Rajkumar Hirani film avoided the Christmas battle and is now expected to release some time in March. Similarly, his next film, Jagga Jasoos was supposed to clash with three films – Mom, Chef and Haseena: The Queen Of Mumbai. But now, both his films are getting solo releases.  

SRK and Ranbir both recently spoke extensively on why two big films shouldn’t clash on the same day. “Any film that clashes, they kind of lose some part of the business. But I also come from the school of thought that for a good film, the audience will come, irrespective if it’s clashed with however bigger film. If your film is good, people will talk about it, it will spread. It’s a good sign that the other films have moved. I think we should send the thank you notes,” Kapoor said during the launch of the Jagga Jasoos song, ‘Galti Se Mistake’. 

While talking to a news agency, SRK highlighted that a film always loses out if it has to share screens with another film. His films Raees (2017) and Dilwale (2015) had to share the spoils with Kaabil and Bajirao Mastani. 

“When it is about sharing that space with anyone, you lose out on the capacity to nurture a film. On all levels, these are capacity running films. Normally we release our films in four thousand theatres. When it is about sharing that space with anyone, you lose out on the capacity to nurture a film like Jab Harry Met Sejal,” he said. 

He added that such feel-good films need more theatres. “It is a funny unabashed love story, helmed by Imtiaz Ali, who has a special place in people’s heart, as a director. The same goes for Anushka, myself, even the songs. It’s a very happy film. These kinds of films do take on the capacity of the theatres available,” added Khan.