There was much buzz about the trailer launch of Farhan Akhtar's upcoming film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag at a suburban theatre on Wednesday evening.
However, we hear that in order to organise the event, the makers of the biopic wanted a screen absolutely free. Incidentally, the multiplex was running shows of Farhan's co-production along with another film Lakeer Ka Fakeer.
Actor Ajaz Khan, who stars in Lakeer... alleges that the producers of the biopic bought out all the tickets for the 5.40 pm show of his film and held the launch event at the same screen. Khan says that while his film had only one show during the day, Farhan's event started much behind its scheduled time.
A disgruntled Khan says, `My film had only one show. Fukrey however had multiple shows during the day. Why didn't Farhan cancel one of his shows to hold his event? That too, they started the launch two hours late. The big actors don't want small actors like us to grow. `
It was only when a friend informed the actor that he couldn't get a ticket because Lakeer... was running 'houseful' at the theatre that Khan realised what had happened.
`My friend wanted to watch my film. But he was turned away as all the tickets were sold out. I was surprised as just the previous day, there were only a few tickets that were sold. It's sad that those who wanted to watch my film weren't able to do so.
Right now, more than the money it's the word-of-mouth publicity for my film that matters to me most.`
While both Farhan and his spokesperson didn't reply to our many SMSes, an official from the theatre, on conditions of anonymity, says, `The 5.40 pm show of Lakeer Ka Fakeer was houseful, as the tickets were bought off by the team of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag for their event.`