Coronavirus update: Sooryavanshi now eyes Diwali release, 83 on Christmas

Reliance Entertainment has revealed that Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi (2020) and Kabir Khan’s 83 (2020) will be released on Diwali and Christmas, respectively, this year.

Both films were due to be released in the first half of 2020 but those plans were scuppered by the COVID-19 lockdown.

The news was confirmed by Reliance Entertainment chief executive officer Shibashish Sarkar. He told online portal Bollywoodhungama.com, “Yes, both Sooryavanshi and 83 are confirmed for Diwali and Christmas, respectively. We are committed to bring both Sooryavanshi and 83 in theatres whenever the exhibitors open and whenever audiences feel safe and comfortable to come back to cinemas. We hope that by Diwali the situation will be normal.”

The news was also confirmed by PVR Cinemas. The multiplex chain wrote a post on Twitter that said, 'Exciting times ahead. Gearing up to release Rohit Shetty's Sooryavanshi on Diwali and Kabir Khan's 83 on Christmas this 2020!'

Although the release dates for both films have been booked, there is still no clarity on when cinema halls would be allowed to reopen in India.

Sooryavanshi is a cop saga starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. The spin-off will have cameos from Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh from their respective cop films Singham (2011) and Simmba (2018).

83 is based on India's first World Cup victory in 1983. Ranveer Singh plays then captain and all-rounder Kapil Dev.