As the Festival of Lights looms, so too does the flickering promise of a box office explosion. Diwali 2024 is poised to serve up the ultimate cinematic showdown, a battle between two Bollywood heavyweights: Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
The mere thought of these two titanic franchises clashing conjures a tantalizing notion: Instead of the predictable bloodbath, why not aim for something smarter?
You know, like working together for financial fireworks that could put any Diwali display to shame?
Let’s start with the elephant in the room—Singham Again.
Ajay Devgn returns as the ever-growling, justice-dealing cop, a role that’s cemented his status as Bollywood’s alpha male since the franchise began. This time, he’s backed by Rohit Shetty’s megaverse of cops—a testosterone-charged parade that includes Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone.
Essentially, it’s Bollywood’s version of The Avengers, but with more slow-motion explosions and less nuance. With such a mammoth ensemble, the hype is real—not just for the plot (because who’s really there for that?), but for the sheer star wattage set to blind us all.
On the other side of the ring, we have Kartik Aaryan starrer Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which takes a more whimsical, haunted-house approach to Diwali cheer. After all, who doesn’t love a good scare with a side of slapstick? Riding on the coattails of the horror-comedy wave (Stree 2 and the like), this third instalment has Vidya Balan’s iconic Manjulika returning to spook us all alongside rising star Triptii Dimri and Madhuri Dixit.
What could possibly go wrong when you mix terror with nostalgia and a dash of humour? Absolutely nothing—except maybe this ill-timed release date.
Here’s where things get sticky: two major films releasing on the same day is Bollywood’s equivalent of a high-stakes gladiator match. And, history has not been kind to these box office battles.
Remember the Vedaa vs Stree 2 vs Khel Khel Mein debacle?
Of course, you don’t—because Vedaa and Khel Khel Mein got wiped off the map. One film always gets overshadowed, and audiences are left awkwardly choosing sides, much like when your parents ask who you love more. Neither film truly wins, but audiences certainly lose.
In a world of spiralling budgets and ludicrously high ticket prices, forcing viewers to choose between two blockbusters on the same weekend is a risky gamble.
With wallets tighter than ever, audiences are forced into a Sophie’s Choice of cinema: adrenaline-pumping action or spooky fun?
Instead of letting the fans gorge on both, the clash may lead to one film dying a slow, agonizing death in the shadow of the other.
But let’s think for a second. What if, instead of this needless head-to-head, we opted for collaboration?
What if Singham Again opened Diwali, letting audiences revel in the bombastic spectacle of Ajay Devgn’s righteous fury, followed by Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 a week later to cleanse the palate with eerie thrills and ghostly laughs?
Staggered releases could keep the hype machine running longer, and both films could bask in the box office glory. It’s not rocket science—it’s just common sense.
Imagine the promotional goldmine, too. Joint events, co-branded marketing—Devgn and Balan sharing the stage, setting off fireworks and trading barbs while both films ride the wave of mutual success. Think of the memes!
Think of the hashtags!
By banding together, they could turn the entire Diwali season into a carnival of cinema, a bonanza where no one has to lose.
Ultimately, cinema is about collective joy. It’s about bringing people together, not tearing them apart with impossible choices. The industry’s obsession with competition feels like a relic in a world where collaboration is the key to real success.
It was better to light up the skies with collective brilliance, not divisive clashes.
There was plenty of room for everyone at the Diwali feast—just imagine how sweet it could be when everyone’s winning.
So here’s a thought: Stop fighting over the spotlight, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find that sharing it brings in more gold than you could ever imagine.