Ajay Devgn offers support to the producer for her Eid release which is clashing with Chennai Express
Last Diwali Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan clashed at the box-office. This year, Akshay Kumar and SRK are coming together on Eid day with their films Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again and Chennai Express. Battle lines are drawn and everyone is expected to take sides, or stay neutral, because there is just too much at stake.
The industry may claim that they are one big happy family but it’s war when two big banner films with big stars release on the same day, as it was proven last year when Jab Tak Hain Jaan clashed with Son Of Sardaar. Ajay is still smarting from the experience as he felt that he was cheated of a decent release because of Yash Raj monopoly (see box). He filed a case against YRF for Unfair Trade Practices that he is still fighting.
When Ajay saw that the same thing was happening to Ekta, he called her and offered her his unconditional support. He said he would fight on her behalf and promote the film. Whatever she needed in terms of support, he would be there for her. A source reveals, “When Ajay heard that Ekta too was being subjected to the same tactics as Ajay with her film OUATIMA by UTV, he called up Ekta in front of the UTV executives and asked her if she needed any help.
Reportedly, UTV told all single screen theatre owners that if they want to screen Himmatwala, they would have to dedicate four shows in a day to Shah Rukh’s Chennai Express as well. Ajay didn’t care that his own release (Himmatwala) would be hampered but he felt that every film should get a fair chance, and he didn’t want to sit on the fence even if his own film was at stake. Even the UTV guys were stumped when Ajay spoke to Ekta in front of them. They didn’t know how to react!”
The source adds, “Ajay has experience in the case and he has been guiding Ekta about what to do. He told her not to succumb to pressure tactics. Subsequently, Ekta retaliated by clubbing OUATIMA with Balaji’s other releases — including Ek Thi Daayan, Lootera, Shootout At Wadala, Ragini MMS 2 and Shaadi Ke Side Effects. Ekta was touched with Ajay’s gesture.”
When Ekta shared this with her leading man Akshay Kumar, he too was surprised, but he was overheard saying that he respects Ajay’s stand. New dosts in the making?
What YRF did
Ajay Devgn’s ADF (Ajay Devgn Films) sued Yash Raj Films for practising monopoly in the film industry. His lawyer sent a notice in the Competition Commission to Yash Raj Films for allegedly using their influential position and name in the film industry and to sabotage other films releasing on the same day as their films. As per one report, “Before the release of Ek Tha Tiger, in August 2012, YRF had reportedly used their dominant position in the market to enter into an arrangement with the exhibitors saying that they will give them Ek Tha Tiger only if the exhibitors agreed to reportedly give their Diwali release prominence over others.”
The changing equations
There were rumours of trouble between Ajay and Ekta after their last film together but now that’s a thing of the past. Don’t be surprised if they work together again.
Rohit Shetty was in talks with Balaji Motion Pictures before he signed Chennai Express. He backed out and returned the signing amount and now he is on the ‘enemy’ side.
Akshay and Ajay are not friends. But with this gesture Ajay has definitely won brownie points with the Khiladi.
Ajay is best buds with Rohit Shetty. They have worked together in over half-a-dozen films together.
What happens now when Ajay is openly supporting the film that is pitted against the Singham director.
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