The initial rushes and songs of the film have already created an unprecedented buzz among audiences and with a healthy round of eleventh hour promotions going on, "Kaminey" has gathered just enough momentum for its release.
With advance bookings having already opened Sunday instead of a Wednesday, the movie is already heating up the ticket counters in terms of bookings and insiders claim it is going to be the next superhit of the year.
The film revolves around twins - Charlie and Guddu - both played by Shahid. They are as different as chalk and cheese and can't stand the sight of each other till one fateful rainy night their lives cross.
Charlie gets mixed up in a deathly get-rich-quick scheme, while Guddu realises that the love of his life, Sweety, has unwittingly put a price on his head.
It's a dark comic ride thereon and their lives collide with the lives of gangsters, rogue politicians and crooked cops. In the middle of this crazy adventure, the brothers have to run to protect themselves, their dreams, their love.... And most importantly, realise that all they have is each other.
Produced and distributed by UTV Motion Pictures, the film has been written and directed by Bharadwaj. Shahid plays a double role for the first time and it also has writer-director Amol Gupte making his on-screen debut.
Industry sources reveal that the movie is made at a budget of around Rs.35 crore (Rs.350 million) and is releasing worldwide with around 1, 100 prints and an 'A' certificate.
" 'Kaminey' is an important film for me as I have tried many new things in it. For the first time I am playing a double role and I'm trying something different from a love story. In fact, this is also the first commercial film of Vishal Bharadwaj, " said Shahid.
Distributors are also positive about the film.
" 'Kaminey' is going to be a super-duper hit. The songs are already a hit and like every UTV venture, the promotions are in full progress. Moreover, the unique plot and Shahid's double role has already created curiosity among the masses, " said a Delhi-based distributor.
"The biggest factor for the movie will be that it is releasing on the weekend of Aug 15, which will draw footfalls in hordes, as everyone will be having a holiday over the weekend, " he added.
"There is a big buzz for the movie and we have already started receiving a very good advance booking buzz... Independence Day holidays will favour the movie, bringing in a tremendous initial and a very good business, " said Amit Awasthi, manager (programming and operations) of Spice Cinemas, Noida.
"Kaminey" is Shahid's first outing in 2009 after last year's dud "Kismet Konnection" and Priyanka's first full-fledged role after a cameo in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Billu". The movie is also Bharadwaj's first venture three years after "Omkara".