Katrina Kaif's Bang Bang starring Hrithik Roshan and her other film, Phantom, starring Saif Ali Khan, are slated to release on the same day (October 2). Given that October 2 will be kicking off the longest weekend of the year, this should hardly come as a surprise.
Says a source, `Director Kabir Khan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala finished the first schedule of the film a few weeks ago and since then, they have been looking for the perfect date for the film's release.
Sajid is adamant about releasing the film on this day as it falls on the first day of the longest weekend of the year. October 2 marks Gandhi Jayanti on a Thursday, the next day is Dusshera, followed by the weekend and Eid on Monday. An official announcement is yet to be made but if things fall in place, October 2 will be the release date.`
So far not many actors have had two of their films release on the same day. `A lot of filmmakers are eyeing this date. For instance, the makers of Bang Bang are yet to start shooting their film, but they have already declared October 2 as their release date. Now if both these films end up releasing on the same day, they will invariably eat into each other's business.
Moreover, Katrina Kaif, the leading lady in both the films, will have a tough time promoting it.` While the official spokesperson of the film denied any knowledge about Phantom releasing on October 2, Kabir Khan and Sajid Nadiadwala remained unavailable for comment.
The trade experts, on the other hand, are skeptical too. Trade expert Amod Mehra thinks that with Bang Bang not having started its schedule yet, both films might not release on same day. Adds Komal Nahata, `Both films releasing on the same day will majorly affect the other's collections. I am sure one of them will change its release date.`