Smartest move of the year? Maddock Films' decision to delay Chhaava by 2 months and avoid a clash with Pushpa 2: “Both films would have lost out on Rs. 150 to 200 crores of business”
At one point, Chhaava was all set to release on December 6 and thereby clash with Pushpa 2. The trade experts thanked Maddock Films for averting the clash and releasing their film more than two months later, on February 14. They feel that both films would not have done such blockbuster business had they been released on the same day. Moreover, the negativity surrounding the epic clash between Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is still fresh in everyone’s minds. Many felt that the clash of the titans, that took place during November 2024, was easily avoidable and would have further benefited both these biggies.
Coming back to Chhaava, trade veteran Taran Adarsh said, “It’s good that they avoided the clash with Pushpa 2. It would have harmed both films. Both Pushpa 2 and Chhaava would not have realized their true potential.”
Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst agreed, “Releasing Chhaava with Pushpa 2 would have been a hara-kiri. If it had happened, the industry would have been in the doldrums. Luckily, both the films were released with a sufficient time gap and both did very well.”
Taran Adarsh continued, “Dinesh Vijan must have spoken to a lot of stakeholders. As a friend, he had called me up and asked me whether he should release his film on December 6. He’s very mature and responsible as far as his own films are concerned. However, I did advice him not to clash with Pushpa 2 as he would have lost out on a huge business opportunity. The screens would have been divided. Pushpa 2 was a phenomenon and so is Chhaava but at that time, it was the former that was riding on a wave.”
Trade analyst Atul Mohan agreed, “It was a very intelligent decision. In the film business, it is important to keep your ego aside. A producer might argue that his film is a biggie and will attract footfalls but, in a clash, it won’t realize its full potential.”
Film exhibitor and distributor Akshaye Rathi, however, noted, “I don’t think the decision to postpone was not taken due to distribution factors. I believe the VFX work of Chhaava was still going on when Pushpa 2 was released.”
He added, “I believe that every film should optimize its run and showcasing and if moving away from a certain date allows them to do that, then it's sensible and practical for everyone involved. Hence, even if the post-production work was complete before December and if Dinesh Vijan had chosen to move the date for the sake of business, I would have appreciated it just as much.”
150-200 crore of business saved
Pushpa 2 is the biggest film in Hindi of all time, collecting Rs. 830.1 crores. Chhaava, meanwhile, is all set to cross the Rs. 500 crore mark. Hence, both these films collectively earned more than Rs. 1300 crores. Trade experts confirmed that such a huge figure would not have been achieved in cash of a clash.
Taran Adarsh exulted, “Chhaava would have definitely scored big numbers in Maharashtra without a doubt. Had the clash occurred, then Pushpa 2 would not have reached the figure that it has now. Even Chhaava would not have reached the lifetime which it is aiming for right now.”
He added, “I have realized over the years that a clash benefits no one. One might argue that clashes happened even in the past. Lekin ab faayda nahin hai. Both these films came solo and there was no negativity. When there’s a clash, negativity begins within and outside the industry. When you have made the film with so much hard work and money and when so much is at stake, you should ideally want to celebrate its release and not be bogged down with so much negativity, as it happened during Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. It was a very negative phase in the industry and also outside as fans were fighting with each other. Also, theatres faced the brunt. Hence, I advise filmmakers that, if possible, avoid a clash.”
Akshaye Rathi remarked, “A business of more than Rs. 1200 crores would have definitely not happened had the two films come together. Both the films would have individually lost out on Rs. 100 to 150 crores of business.”
Atul Mohan said, “Pushpa 2’s major business happened in North India. Chhaava, meanwhile, is strong in Mumbai and Maharashtra. It would have been the first choice for a lot of moviegoers in the state. Individually, both films would have collected Rs. 150 to 200 crores less.”
Also Read: Triptii Dimri reviews Chhaava; praises Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, and team
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