Akshay postpones PadMan release, avoids clash with Bhansali’s Padmaavat
To avoid clash with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmaavat’ and to be seen it as a large-hearted gesture, Akshay Kumar shifts the release date of ‘PadMan’ to February 9
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Akshay Kumar at the press conference
Akshay Kumar has extended pontoon bridge to Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the makers of ‘Padmaavat’ by postponing release date of his Bollywood film ‘PadMan’. The release date of Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte-starrer and Twinkle Khanna-produced ‘PadMan’ has been delayed by as much as three weeks, to February 9, instead of clashing with ‘Padmaavat’ on January 26. The postponement of ‘PadMan’ to February 9 will give Bhansali and the team of ‘Padmaavat’ a clear three weeks of run at the box office, and will benefit not just the latter but also Akshay Kumar. Extending the kind and large-hearted gesture, as some see it in the entertainment industry, Akshay Kumar says, “There is no point of clashing. I can understand that his need is more for this date than mine. I am also very grateful to the studios for accepting this decision because their money is at stake with ‘PadMan’.” Bhansali reciprocates in a similar manner by saying, “Our team requested Akshay if he can shift his date of ‘PadMan’. He is such a big star that it would be even more difficult for us to release together. He knows all our troubles so he readily agreed for it!” Possibly the first and one-of-a-kind gesture in the history of Indian cinema, Akshay called for a press conference where he invited the other filmmaker, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, with whom his Bollywood film was clashing and announced postponing the release date of his film ‘PadMan’.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Akshay Kumar at the press conference
Delaying ‘PadMan’ to February 9, Akshay Kumar’s gesture has been seen as a pure business decision by some of the Bollywood industry experts. Bhansali and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures’ ‘Padmaavat’ is clearly made on a larger scale, along with pumping in around Rs 150 crore into making the film. And Akki is aware of the fact, “‘PadMan’ could have stayed and ‘Padmaavat’ release date shifted, but it is very important for them to release as soon as possible. I would even say that both the films can release on the same date as there are 4,000 to 5,000 theatres and we can share it. But at the moment, the stake of their film is much higher than mine and he is a very dear friend of mine. Bhansali asked for it and I went ahead with it.” However, the Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh-starrer has already garnered enough publicity, bad or good, by being in the news since the last two months. Rioting the sets, threats to life, court cases and banning ‘Padmaavat’ in states have made sure the film stays in controversy till its release and paid previews on January 24. This means that Akshay’s ‘PadMan’ would have had less chance of making it big in theatres all across India, the major market for Bollywood films. The threat to vandalise theatres would also hamper ‘PadMan’s’ business apart from ‘Padmaavat’s’ and this was one more reason that Akshay bowed out of the competition.
Padmavat, PadMan
Bollywood experts’ opinions aside, Bhansali is more than thankful to Akshay to shift the release date of ‘PadMan’ and avoid a clash with ‘Padmaavat’. “One needs a large heart to exude so much goodness. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing when he said yes to shifting the date. I will be grateful to him for what he has done, for life! The fraternity will be proud of Akshay Kumar for his gesture, which is unheard of,” says Bhansali. The director refuses to answer any questions about the film being banned, Karni Sena’s protests or further promotions of ‘Padmaavat’ that had been cancelled. He rather quickly exits after thanking Akshay with folded hands and posing for the paparazzi.
To make sure that he sounds like giving a leeway to Bhansali and doesn’t want ‘PadMan’ versus ‘Padmaavat’ clash, some say, Akshay decided to delay the release of his film to February 9. By calling the press conference and announcing the postponement of ‘PadMan’ by inviting Bhansali, it is a win-win situation for all. In the meantime, ‘Padman’ will now clash with Manoj Bajpayee-starrer ‘Aiyaary’! Speaking about the same, Akshay says, “We will cross that bridge when it comes. We will see what to do with that next.” Akshay Kumar and Manoj Bajpayee have worked together in ‘Special 26’, released in the year 2013.
