★ Trade experts explain why no Hindi or Pan-Indian film clashes with Salman Khan’s films at the box office: “He’s 100% an ORGANIC star; clashing with him can prove SUICIDAL”!
Nov 7, 2023
Salman Khan’s Diwali release Tiger 3 is nearly a week away and the excitement is tremendous. What’s interesting is that it’ll have a solo release of sorts, as no other Hindi or Pan-India South film is clashing on the same day. In fact, Salman Khan has not faced a clash since 2010. The last time that happened was when his 2009 action super-hit film Wanted was released on the same day as Rani Mukerji-starrer Dil Bole Hadippa.
Dabangg (2010), Ready (2011), Bodyguard (2011), Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Dabangg 2 (2012), Jai Ho (2014), Kick (2014), Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015), Sultan (2016), Tubelight (2017), Race 3 (2018), Bharat (2019), Dabangg 3 (2019) and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023) released with no competition. Antim (2021) faced a collision with Satyameva Jayate 2 (2021) but then it didn’t feature the superstar in the lead.
Other stars haven’t been that fortunate. Shah Rukh Khan’s Dilwale (2015) and Raees (2017) were released alongside Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Kaabil (2017) respectively. SRK is at his best position arguably right now and yet, his next film Dunki will have to share screens with Salaar on Christmas 2023. Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha clashed with Akshay Kumar’s Raksha Bandhan last year. Salman’s last few films have not done well and yet, no one is ready to come on the same Friday as him.
We asked trade experts about this rare phenomenon. Trade veteran Taran Adarsh said, “He has a huge following and is a darling of the masses. The business he has generated over a period of time in mass pockets is phenomenal. Though he has had a rough patch, he's the pied piper of Bollywood.”
Trade analyst Atul Mohan, in agreement, exulted, “Salman is a very big hero of the masses. He has always had such a huge fan following; Shah Rukh Khan ka aisa following ab bana hai. Aamir Khan never had such a mass pull. Salman’s craze is one of a kind. Hence, filmmakers are wary of clashing their films with him. Itna bada hero hai, kaun takkar lega iske saath?”
Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, remarked, “Salman is the only superstar who people want to see on screen. He has the maximum on-screen superstardom out of all the actors. It’s a very critical factor. He’s also not on our social media every time, going to malls, opening ribbons, dancing, etc.”
He continued, “Unfortunately his films have not worked as he hasn’t paid much attention to the storytelling, packaging, direction, etc. He has that power that if he gets these things right, then there’s no stopping him. That’s why many are wary of clashing with him as they know that at least in the opening weekend, their film will get butchered.”
Raj Bansal, the owner of Entertainment Paradise cinema hall in Jaipur, explained, “Salman Khan is an action hero. When no one was doing action, he was the only action excelling in this genre. Somewhere, his confidence shook and he also did non-action films like Tubelight (2017), Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015), etc. Only Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) worked in this regard. But even when his films were gadbad, they still made Rs. 100 crores plus. There was a time when the hit films of Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn did Rs. 100 crores. But Salman’s flop films do Rs. 100 crores even today! And his hit films have done more than Rs. 300 crores. It’s thanks to him that the industry realized the true potential of a Hindi film. Hence, clashing with him can prove suicidal.”
He also said, “He’s 100% an organic star. Even Sunny Deol is.”
Girish Johar added, “If he moulds himself to the sensibilities that cater to his fans and also provides intelligent content, then sky is the limit. I think Tiger 3 will do well. It ticks all the right boxes.”
Taran Adarsh also said along the same lines, “Tiger 3 being a brand and essaying a role that is much-loved, I am sure it’ll have a great run and a huge opener.”
