Fans eagerly awaiting Prabhas' upcoming film, The RajaSaab, are facing an unexpected hurdle as advance bookings for the highly anticipated movie are yet to fully open across India, particularly in major national cinema chains. With less than 12 hours to its January 9 release, the situation has left many perplexed, prompting trade experts to delve into the reasons behind the delay.
The Showdown: Dhurandhar 2 vs. Toxic
The primary reason for the hold-up in the Hindi belt stems from a complex negotiation strategy. Here's a breakdown:
* Partial Openings: Only single-screen cinemas and smaller independent chains have commenced bookings for The RajaSaab. * National Chains on Hold: Major national chains like PVR, INOX, Cinepolis, along with Miraj and Maxus cinemas, have not yet opened bookings. * Distributor Demands: AA Films, distributors for The RajaSaab, are reportedly pressuring national chains to allocate significant showtimes to Yash's upcoming film, Toxic. This condition is a prerequisite for these cinemas to screen The RajaSaab. * Theatres' Dilemma: Cinema owners are hesitant because Toxic is slated to clash with Dhurandhar 2 on March 19. The first installment of Dhurandhar was a massive box office success, and Dhurandhar 2 is projected to have an earth-shattering opening. While acknowledging Toxic's potential as a crowd-puller (evidenced by its recent teaser), theatres are unwilling to make concessions that could compromise Dhurandhar 2's run.
Despite the deadlock, trade sources indicate that the issue is expected to be resolved by Thursday evening. Both distributors and cinemas stand to lose if advance sales are delayed until the last moment, signaling an imminent breakthrough.
Hyderabad's Unique Booking Challenge
While the Hindi belt grapples with show-sharing disputes, Hyderabad faces a different set of challenges preventing The RajaSaab's advance bookings from commencing:
* Ticket Price Dispute: A disagreement arose between the filmmakers and the Telangana government regarding the proposed increase in ticket prices for the Prabhas-starrer. * High Court Intervention: In a significant relief for the producers, the Telangana High Court on Thursday, January 8, ruled in their favor on this aspect. * Resolution Imminent: Sources from the South confirm that a government order on the revised ticket prices is anticipated by Thursday evening, paving the way for sales to begin in the capital city.
Early Buzz and Paid Previews
Interestingly, The RajaSaab has already kicked off with paid previews scheduled for January 8 from 9:00 PM onwards. Bookings for these special screenings are rapidly filling up across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with the exception of Hyderabad. Furthermore, tickets for tomorrow's shows in these regions have been selling like hotcakes, indicating strong demand. This early enthusiasm suggests that once advance bookings open in Hyderabad, the film is set to witness a thunderous start for its original Telugu version.
