During a media interaction at the first song launch of Bajirao Mastani Deepika Padukone had told the media that Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani are two very different films and no one has the time to think who is doing what because the film she is working on is very consuming, she further elaborated that both the films have enough space to come and do well. But is that really the case? Deepika is surely not unaware of the fact that if two films release on the same date, they cut into each other's business drastically especially in today's times when the cost of tickets hits you hard below the belt? Okay, even if she doesn't know this, how would she feel if someone told her that the producers of her film have put huge barricades in the way of the man who launched her with Om Shanti Om? Yes, it's now REALLY daggers drawn between Bajirao Mastani and Shah Rukh Khan's Dilwale, courtesy the former.

9xe has it that Eros International has booked a huge number of single screens from December 18 onward (the release date of both films) in Bombay Circuit, Delhi, Rajasthan and many other places in India, imposing a condition that they'll not screen any other film except theirBajirao Mastanifor at least a week.

This is how and when they did it: Apparently, Eros had a whiff of SRK's Dilwalehitting the screens on the same day as their project in May itself. So they had a simple bait - They had to go theTanu Weds Manu Returnsway.Yes, they distributed the sequel across single screens on the condition that the theatres would screen onlyBajirao Mastaniwhen it releases. So who announced December 18 first?

A leading distributor, on request of anonymity, said that both parties claimed that they announced their release date first and then he enquired whether anyone can prove that. SRK has not been on great terms with Eros ever since they supportedSon of Sardarin its war againstJab Tak Hai Jaan. The man is obviously not amused that the Eros head honchos Sunil and Kishore Lullas have played dirty with him this time, but he's fast putting it behind him. Surprisingly, there have been rumours since the last two days that Eros might postpone their film by a week. What if either of them postpone their film to December 25, we asked. the distributor replied saying that is a risk. he then asked why would any single screen replace a film in the second week which releases on December 18 and does well? A source close to Eros confirmed, that they have blocked many single screens and that it's okay, the source adds that they are wondering if SRK will releaseDilwaleon December 18. A source close to SRK shot back saying that King Khan will not budge and both films will have their audience. he then asks who would want or like to see Ranveer, Deepika and Priyanka in a period film when there is the effervescent chemistry of SRK and Kajol.