Bollywood Movie clashes 2016 – 2017: Bajirao Mastani’s success results in more clashes

We have around 6-7 bankable stars in the industry today and quite a few top directors, and almost all of them are targeting the big weekends. Historically, the most successful release periods in the last 5-6 years are:

1. Christmas (PK, Dhoom 3, 3 Idiots, Bajirao Mastani)
2. Eid (Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kick, Chennai Express, Ek Tha Tiger)
3. Diwali (Krrish 3, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Happy New Year)
4. Post IPL (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Rowdy Rathore, Ready, Holiday)
5. Independence Day weekend (Ek Tha Tiger, Singham Returns)
6. Republic Day weekend (Airlift, Agneepath, Jai Ho, Baby)
7. Gandhi Jayanti weekend (Bang Bang, Singh Is Bling)

There is a huge crunch for favourable release periods, which has resulted in production houses booking release dates 1-2 years in advance. The Khans target three of the most lucrative festive periods; Eid, Christmas and Diwali. Since Akshay Kumar has 3-4 releases every year, he usually targets Republic Day (Airlift, Baby), Post-IPL (Rowdy Rathore, Holiday, Housefull 3), Independence Day (OUATIMD, Brothers, Rustom) and Gandhi Jayanti (Singh Is Bling).

Hrithik managed to get a solo release during Diwali when Krrish 3 became a huge blockbuster at the box office. However, since then, the 4th biggest superstar in the industry today, has had to release his films against others. It’ll be 3 consecutive clashes for Hrithik; Bang Bang released with Haider, Mohenjo Daro is scheduled to release against Akshay’s Rustom and Kaabil has now been announced on the same day as Ajay Devgn’s Baadshaho.

Meanwhile, Ajay has bigger ambitions. He has already booked three major dates; Shivaay for Diwali 2016, Baadshaho for Republic Day 2017 and Sons Of Sardaar for Diwali 2017. He hasn’t been intimidated by the Khans in the past and has probably decided to break their festive monopoly.

Younger stars like Varun Dhawan and Ranveer Singh have been growing steadily in the industry and if films like Dishoom and Befikre do well, there is no reason why they wouldn’t want bigger dates.

The massive success of Bajirao Mastani has also given immense confidence to smaller filmmakers and lesser stars to take on the mighty Khans at the box office. Prior to the release of Dilwale and Bajirao during Christmas last year, releasing the SLB directed film was considered to be a suicidal move by the trade. The result at the domestic box office though, has shaken up the industry.

It has also made the festive weekends more desirable for a lot of other people. The belief is, if the content is strong and the film is backed by a big banner, the Khans are not invincible at the box office. In fact, it could even prove to be beneficial because a clash results in free media publicity and pre-release hype.

2016 is going to be a year of box office clashes, but 2017 could be even bigger.