Grand Diwali face-off

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There’s a lot of fireworks going on in Bollywood though Diwali is still a few days away. Ajay Devgn’s Son of Sardar and Yash Raj Film’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan, both set for a Diwali release, are embroiled in a tussle over the number of screens allotted for the films and neither party is willing to back down.

With Ajay Devgn’s case being rejected by the Competition Commission of India, the company is approaching the Appellate Tribunal against the order.
The latest official statement of ADF says, “We are shocked by the rejection of our legitimate case by the CCI. We have approached the Appellate Tribunal against the order.”
We approached both Ajay and SRK about their views on the matter and while both maintained that they are still friends, business is after all, business.

The industry knows I am fighting for my rights, says Ajay Devgn

Ajay is clear about his stance and feels that Yash Raj Films is simply throwing its weight. “My fight is about what is right and wrong. The industry is happy as they feel that I am fighting for my rights. If the verdict is in my favour they will thank me. A positive decision will help the industry in the long run.”
About Yash Raj Film’s statement that they have not received any notice Ajay says, “I read their statement. They are trying to fool you guys by saying that there are 10,500 screens. But in today’s day and age, I don’t think the media is so ignorant. Am I crazy to fight with them?
If I had 8,000 screens, why would I spend my money and lose my reputation and go to court? Going by the statistics, of the 10,000 or 12,000 theatres, over 5,000 to 6,000 are in the South, where only regional films release and there’s no Hindi audience. How many screens remain – 4,000 or 4,500? Of these, 1,500 are closed. Now the number of operational theatres is already low. Every year, at least two films release during Diwali. Going by the BO record over the last 10 years, whenever two films have released, they have got equal number of shows.
For example Dadar (in Mumbai) has seven single screens; YRF has blocked six and we have only one. In Delhi, there are 21 single screens and we have only three. These are actual figures. Multiplexes are not an issue they are fair enough.”
About a section of the industry requesting him to push back the
release date, Ajay says, “They tried telling me through the media that since Yashji expired, which is very sad, I should push back the date. Many people tried to pressurise me. I have spent `80 to 90 crore and corporates are involved and shareholders too are at stake. I know Yashji is a legend. If I release my film I will become a villain, if I don’t I will incur loss.
If that is the case they will have to ask Aamir Khan to push back the release of Talaash, Akshay Kumar’s film too and Salman Khan’s film which is releasing in January. If all of them are ready then I will go ahead and postpone my film.”
Ajay goes on to add, “When I said this they all kept quiet. They wanted me to surrender. I had filed the case on October 18. Try to make your product better or draw a bigger line, don’t erase a line that has been drawn already.”

You should have booked early, says Shah Rukh

“It’s a liberated market. We have offered a good deal to everyone. In today’s time the market remains uncontrolled. There is no question of having any monopoly in the market. In this restrained competitive market obviously it is the demand and supply that matters a lot. I too am a producer in my own capacity. I have simply talked with the distributors and the exhibitors about when I release my film. While I finish the conversation and get up, some Mr X.Y.Z…..as an exhibitor or a distributor may reject my product stating Shah Rukh humein yeh film thriller hai ya comedy hai vaghare vaghare isliye hum nahi lena chahte!! Can I force them to buy? A producer is always at the mercy of exhibitor. Yes! Yashji hote toh bolte unki film bhi chalni chahiye… I too feel that all the films should do well at the Box Office. But on the whole my film will be mine.”
SRK adds like a great trade pundit, “The consumer is the king, distributor/exhibitor are the presenter of the film also consumer. I cannot force anyone to buy any shirt of my choice. You will surely choose and buy for yourself. Similarly if two films are releasing the audiences will choose.”
We decided director Reema Kagti (Talaash) to preside over the issue as a judge. She says, “I do not know the major issues in details. But I feel both Ajay and Shah Rukh are right in their own ways. But as Shah Rukh is stating about the single theatres issue, it is definitely a demand and supply issue…but once again I say if it is so.”