This Diwali, Bollywood is gearing up for a massive box office clash, with two highly anticipated films set to release on the same day: Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again. The competition between these two films, starring Kartik Aaryan and Ajay Devgn respectively, has now spilt over into the arena of screen allocation, sparking a significant dispute between their producers. The stakes are high, and T-Series, which is behind Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, has taken the matter to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to ensure fair play at the box office.
T-Series Files Plea with CCI
Reports suggest that Rohit Shetty, the director of Singham Again, along with the film’s producers, have successfully secured an agreement with major cinema chains, including the country’s largest, PVR INOX, to allocate 60% of their screens to Singham Again. Additionally, many single-screen theatres have reportedly been persuaded to exclusively show Singham Again, relegating Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 to less favourable time slots, particularly in the early mornings.
In response to this growing imbalance, Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series has approached the CCI and is seeking intervention. The production house calls for a 50-50 split of screen time in major theatres nationwide. With Diwali being one of the most lucrative periods for cinema, this battle for screen allocation could have a significant impact on the box-office performance of both films. By petitioning the CCI, T-Series hopes to ensure that both films get a fair chance at success, rather than being pushed out by the larger-than-life scale of Singham Again.
The Competition Commission of India’s role is to promote healthy competition in the market, and T-Series’ move underscores the increasing tension around screen allocation when two major films go head-to-head. For both distributors and exhibitors, the decision of which film to give more prominence to becomes crucial, as the first weekend often determines a movie’s financial fate.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 VS Singham Again
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again are two of the most awaited films of the year, each catering to distinct audiences. Directed by Anees Bazmee, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 will see Kartik Aaryan reprising his role as Rooh Baba, with Vidya Balan returning as the iconic Manjulika. The film promises a mix of horror and comedy, and with the addition of stars like Madhuri Dixit and Triptii Dimri, it aims to build on the success of its predecessors.
On the other hand, Singham Again is part of Rohit Shetty’s massively popular “Cop Universe.” The film boasts a star-studded ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, and more. The action-packed film, which reimagines the Ramayana in a contemporary setting, is expected to draw large crowds, especially with its Avengers-style appeal.
With both films releasing on November 1, audiences are set for a thrilling Diwali, both on-screen and behind the scenes.
Also Read: Salman Khan’s Cameo In Singham Again Cancelled After Baba Siddique’s Death? Here’s What We Know!