Last Sunday night when Shah Rukh Khan was busy celebrating and hoisting KKR flag after the IPL win, Ajay Devgn’s team was quietly putting together a plan that would made the ‘baadshah’ think a little harder in weeks and months to come. That is because during the weekend, publicity material of Son of Sardaar was being finalized and now that it has been unveiled, the challenge is out in open.
Ajay has declared that it is indeed going to be Diwali to bring his fun entertainer which means the ball is now in Shah Rukh’s court to decide whether he wants to come with his Yash Chopra film on the same day.”This is in stark contrast to the approach that Akshay Kumar had followed just last week”, informs a source, “Just when he realized that it would be futile to have too many films vying for the same Diwali slot, he quietly moves his Khiladi 786 to December.
He didn’t want to fret over something like this and his newly renewed friendship with Shah Rukh, as evidenced during the IPL, is a testimony of that. However, Ajay seems to have made up his mind that he is not going away anywhere. His posters, which clearly announce Diwali arrival for Son Of Sardaar, would now set Shah Rukh and Chopras thinking.
One can’t blame Ajay for being confident about his Diwali plans though. After all, he has tasted super-success on the festive occasion with money spinners like Golmaal 3, Golmaal Returns and All The Best, all with Rohit Shetty.
“However one can’t discount the fact that Diwali has been Shah Rukh’s playground for years, as and when he has wanted. His Ra.One may have seen some backlash coming its way but when released last Diwali, it did a business of over 100 crores. Moreover, his other Diwali releases like Om Shanti Om, Don and Veer Zaara (incidentally the last film directed by Yash Chopra) were huge as well.
He has a loyal fan base waiting for him this Diwali”, comments a trade insider.With none of the two actors budging from their stand, the problem lies with distributors and exhibitors who would have to fight it out amongst themselves to get the best theaters, screens and show timings to accommodate both films.
As for audience, they could well be smacking their lips with sheer choices made available to them. Well, unless one of the two superstars decides to make way for another.As things stand today, that looks unlikely though
