Makers of director Abhishek Kapoor’s Kedarnath have announced 21 December 2018 as the release date for their film. However, the said date was earlier announced for Shah Rukh Khan’s untitled film with director Aanand L Rai.
Kedarnath is a co-production between KriArj Entertainment and Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures. KriArj has entered into a four-film deal with T-Series. KriArj Entertainment made the announcement on Twitter.
Kedarnath marks the debut of Saif Ali Khan's daughter Sara, with Sushant Singh Rajput playing the male lead. If Red Chillies Entertainment goes as per their schedule, it comes as a surprise that Kedarnath would lock horns with a Shah Rukh film.
Requesting anonymity, a trade analyst said, “The industry has been following the Hollywood model of locking dates well in advance. However, haven’t we seen that the release date changes? Rajinikanth’s 2.0 was meant to come on Diwali this year, then got pushed to the Republic Day week in 2018, and now it is delayed again. There’s more than a year to go, things can change any time. Now either Kedarnath makers are being brave or this initial announcement could just be a publicity stunt.”
Speaking to Cinestaan.com, Prernaa Arora of KriArj Entertainment said, “Kedarnath is going to be my seventh release next year. We are going to have a launch pad for Sara Ali Khan. Every month there is a big film. I have at least five clashes with big producers next year. There is Padman, Pari, Parmanu, Fanney Khan, Batti Gul Meter Chalu, Vishal Bhardwaj’s next with Deepika Padukone and Irrfan which clashes with YRF's Sui Dhaaga.”
Elaborating on the thought behind releasing Kedarnath on 21 December 2018, Arora said, “We need a holiday release for Kedarnath. Budget wise, Kedarnath is a big film. It’s a different kind of story which needs a different kind of release. I would have loved to come in November, but we have Aamir Khan’s Thugs of Hindostan. When we are launching a new actor there is lot of anticipation. I reckon Yash Raj Films’ project with Hrithik Roshan is coming in January 2019. The weather is very cold, and you don’t get too many audiences in North India then."
While the call to lock horns with Shah Rukh is brave, Arora is not looking at competition. “I’m not here to clash with anybody, but I know I have a long run in December. If the country supports us, I’m sure they will go and watch a good film. Yes, Shah Rukh Khan will perhaps be first choice, but we have worked on a great script, tight screenplay with great music. The film will remind you of Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978). We have covered 60% of the cost through satellite and digital rights, and we will have a top studio on board soon who’ll have the worldwide theatrical rights.”