The advance booking for Sikandar began with full force on Tuesday, March 25. On March 19, it was announced that Sikandar would also be released in the IMAX screens. But the makers commenced bookings only in the 2D screens, leaving many wondering if Salman Khan’s Eid entertainer will have a release in IMAX at all. Speculations went around that the film will have a delayed release in the IMAX format. However, all rumours were laid to rest today.
EXCLUSIVE: Booking for Sikandar FINALLY commences in IMAX; three-way clash to occur in IMAX screens next week between Salman Khan-starrer, L2 Empuraan, A Minecraft Movie
Earlier in the day, the IMAX screens in the Southern cities of Bengaluru and Chennai threw open the advance booking for Sikandar. However, Sikandar has been allotted only two shows in all the cinemas in Bengaluru. The balance three shows have been given to the Mohanlal-starrer L2 Empuraan. It is directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and took a huge opening across the country and the world. In PVR VR Mall in Bengaluru and the two IMAX screens in Chennai, the Salman Khan-starrer will have one show while L2 Empuraan will be played in the remaining shows. There are remote chances of Sikandar getting a show in the IMAX in Kochi and Trivandrum as L2 Empuraan is performing historically in the home market of Kerala.
In Mumbai and other Hindi-speaking markets, Sikandar will have an edge. A clearer idea will emerge once the advance booking is open in these cities. The IMAX in Inox Jio World Plaza, BKC, Mumbai has already allotted 4 shows to L2 Empuraan on Sunday, March 30, that is, the day Sikandar releases. This leaves only one show for Sikandar. But as per trade sources, this is an exception and the same strategy might not be applied in other theatres of the Northern belt.
Three-way clash
Meanwhile, in an unprecedented move, a three-way clash will take place in IMAX screens from next Friday, April 4. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Warner Bros will release A Minecraft Movie next week and unlike the other two films, it’s an IMAX 3D release. The studio and even the trade feels that it can attract viewers in IMAX as the film is based on a famous video game. The timing is also right as summer vacations have begun in many parts. Moreover, the casting of popular actor Jason Momoa will also help pull in the audience.”
The source continued, “It now remains to be seen how the shows are divided between Sikandar, L2 Empuraan and A Minecraft Movie from April 4. If both the Salman Khan-starrer and Mohanlal-starrer remain strong in the weekdays, their respective distributors can ask for same number of shows in Week 2 as Week 1. But on the other hand, Warner Bros will also not be ready to lose out on shows for A Minecraft Movie as the film is tailor-made for the IMAX format. A clearer picture will emerge by next Wednesday or Thursday.”
An industry insider commented, “IMAX usually avoids too many films at the same time and hence, the current scenario is probably a first for the Indian market. At one point, they used to not even allow two IMAX films at the same time. This is the reason why ’83 (2021) and Adipurush (2023) had to give up on the IMAX release to accommodate Spider-Man: No Way Home and The Flash respectively. Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World and Chhaava were released simultaneously but this was still a manageable situation as there were only two films. But next week, we’ll see for the first time three films, from different industries and catering to a diverse set of audience, vying for space in IMAX.”
Also Read: Will L2 Empuraan affect Salman Khan-starrer Sikandar or vice versa? Trade experts open up; hopeful that Mohanlal-starrer goes the KGF – Chapter 1 and Marco way in Hindi markets
More Pages: Sikandar Box Office Collection , Sikandar Movie Review
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