Sandalwood is all set to witness the biggest clash ever at the box office next week, when Yash-Radhika and Upendra-Sudeep will clash with their films “Santhu Straight Forward” and “Mukunda Murari” respectively. This news is the biggest news in Gandhinagar. This year, we have not seen two big stars clashing. This will be the first big clash of the year. But the question in everyone’s mind is whether the clash is necessary?
Karnataka has very less screens of around 600. In these, around 350 to 400 screen Kannada films. “Dodmane Huduga” and “Jaguar” are running to packed houses. With so many factors against, the producers of both the films are going ahead with the clash.
Speaking about this, Jack Manju, who is distributing “Mukunda Murari”, says, “Deepavali weekend is one of the best periods for a film to release. It is a happy moment for all the family members. So they can afford to watch two films with many holidays. It is beneficial for both the films. I request the media to not to make this a star versus star issue. All are good friends here. “
“Mukunda Murari” was initially scheduled to release in the month of September. However, the makers postponed the film as the shooting was not complete. The film brings two superstars Upendra and Sudeep on big screen for the first time. Even though Sudeep will have less screen time in the film, the film has created huge buzz. Nandakishore is directing the film.
On the other hand, “Santhu Straight Forward” was always scheduled to release around Deepavali. The film brings back the “Mr & Mrs Ramachari” jodi on the big screen. There are huge expectations from this film, as the last time the duo starred together, they gave an industry hit. Also this is their first release after they officially confirmed their relationship. All these factors have created positive buzz around the film.
This is not the first time two big films are clashing. On October 2010, Puneeth Rajkumar starrer “Jackie” had clashed with Sudeep’s movie “Kiccha Huccha”. The following year in December, Sudeep starrer “Vishnuvardhana” clashed with Ganesh’s movie “Shyloo”.
In 2014, Duniya Vijay’s “Simhadri” clashed with Dhruva Sarja’s “Bahaddur” and in 2015, “Khushi Khushiyagi” clashed with Upendra’s “Shivam”. In the same year in August, Ganesh and Upendra’s movies clashed again with “Buguri” and “Uppi 2” releasing on the same day.
If we observe the clashes, in most of the cases, only one film becomes successful, whereas other bites the dust. Keeping this in mind, speculations are being made which film will get the upper hand.
On paper, Yash has an upper hand. He is back after almost a year. It is a romantic comedy film. On the other hand, “Mukunda Murari” is a remake of a popular Hindi film. Many people would have already watched the film. It also has controversial content, which may not be liked by all sections of the audience. But box-office is unpredictable, we can never say anything. At the end of the day, it is content which matters.
Speaking about the clash, popular exhibitor Ashok says, “Both the films will surely open well. With many holidays in the first week, both the films will benefit the most. The genre of both the films is different. Yash starrer will get more screens as it is more commercial. However after first weekend, it boils down to content. Let us wait and see. The whole industry is hoping that both films become blockbuster.”
We also hope that both the films become blockbuster and continue the good run of Kannada cinemas.
