'Anjaana Anjaani' postponed to October 1 due to Ayodhya verdict

With September 24 being the day the Allahabad high court announces its verdict on the Ayodhya case, Anjaana Anjaani, earlier slated to release on the day has now been pushed back by a week. The film will now release on October 1.

The film’s producer, Sajid Nadiadwala says, “I would have liked to release the film on September 24, but the Ayodhya issue is much bigger and needs its respect. The film is a happy one and so we decided to release it on a more peaceful day, a week later.”

The film’s lead actor, Ranbir Kapoor, had first voiced concerns over the film releasing on a day which is being considered to be a landmark event in the nation’s history.

“Unfortunately, our film is coming on that same date. I wish the film wouldn’t have been releasing on September 24 because that day we need to seek harmony in our country and live with peace,” Kapoor had told reporters.

The move to postpone, though, is being deemed unnecessary as precautionary measures have already being beefed up, with the Commonwealth Games around the corner.

From the box office point of view too, it may not be a very good idea, say experts. “The film’s promotional campaign has been screaming from rooftops that the film releases on September 24.

Postponing it gives out mixed signals and confuses the viewer,” says trade analyst Amod Mehra, adding that the buzz around the film is already not as great as you would expect it to be by now.

The second issue with the film being postponed would be losing out on the opportunity of enjoying a single release this Friday, and instead scramble for screen space next week, with other films like Priyadarshan’s Aakrosh, starring Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna, and the smaller, Khichdi – The Movie also slated to release on October 1.

At the time of going to print, there was uncertainty on whether Aakrosh would now stick to its original release date or come a week later, on October 8.

The biggest hurdle for Anjaana Anjaani now would be that it will come face-to-face with Endhiran, Rajnikanth’s multi-crore bonanza which sees a worldwide release on October 1.

“Even though Rajnikanth may not be a big draw in north India, Anjaana Anjaani will have a tough time against Endhiran in the south. Mysore and Nizam, two territories that Hindi films do well in, will be majorly hit,” says Mehra.  

With no release this Friday, Dabangg – already doing well – gets a shot in the arm without any opposition and could continue its dream run over another weekend.