Last year, Ajay Devgn and Yash Raj Films fought it out over the release of their films, Son of Sardaar and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. At that time, Ajay accused YRF of engaging in unfair business practices to ensure that their film – JTHJ – got a wider release than Ajay’s SOS. This year, something similar has happened with Chennai Express and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara. Apparently, Ekta and team Balaji shifted the release of OUATIM2 to August 15th after they were assured that Chennai Express would withdraw screenings of their film to ensure that Balaji got a wider release. That didn’t happen, and the result was an extremely angry Ekta, who blamed SRK for her film’s low box office collections.
SRK responded later by saying that they promised to withdraw their film after seven days, and so the theatres were given to Balaji on Friday (whereas OUATIM2 actually released on Thursday). He claimed that complaints were therefore “unfounded” and clarified that he wasn’t “part of the business” anyway.
In a recent interview, Ajay opened up about this issue when asked, saying that the fight for dates will continue until there is unity within the industry. Here is his statement:
“A holiday makes all the difference to your film, so the fight for dates will go on. But dates are not an issue. Earlier also, two films would happily release on Diwali and they would both be hits. But now with people trying to control theatres, and not allowing the other film to get them, I feel like saying, ‘Good for you all.’ When I was fighting, I was saying that I was not doing it for myself, but was doing it for the industry, but no one supported me. What upsets me is you can’t con a person. If you have made a commitment, you have to meet it. The industry has changed. Earlier, there were no contracts, yet people stuck by their commitment. Today, in spite of contracts, we have issues. Till there is no unity, it will not work and I’m happy they are suffering for not taking a stance. I hope our industry will get united on this issue so that I, as a producer, cannot take anyone for a ride and no one can take me for one.”