EXCLUSIVE: In an extremely unusual occurrence, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’s show at Maratha Mandir changes time from 11:30am to 10:30 am to fit in Stree 2, Vedaa.
There are several issues that have arisen in the exhibition sector especially for the single screen theatres because of the clash between Stree 2, Vedaa and Khel Khel Mein on Independence Day. The division of shows between even two motion pictures is tough to crack for these single screens and now there will be three movies to accommodate.
And it’s even worse for Mumbai’s iconic theatre Maratha Mandir which has been screening the all-time favourite Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol since nearly 30 years ago. A matinee show starts at 11:30 am daily and also draws good footfalls.
But from tomorrow August 15th, there will be a rare change of timings of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’s show. It would no longer be shown at 11:30 am but at 10:30 am instead. For Stree 2 three shows were given while Vedaa was allocated one show. Stree 2 would play at 2 pm, 4.45 pm and then close with a final showing for the day at around ten o’clock in the evening while Vedaa will only showcase once at seven thirty p.m., hence leaving out Khel Khel Mein.
The decision is expected to raise eyebrows.As per an industry insider, “This would have been understandable had it been done to accommodate all three films releasing this week but instead it was done for two movies.” Many biggies have clashed in the past yet DDLJ’s show has stood rock solid at eleven thirty a.m.
Shraddha Kapoor is among those acting in Stree 2 and coincidentally, that will be the second time Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’s 11:30 am show is being affected by her movie. In August, 2017, the matinee show of DDLJ was cancelled for a day as a trailer launch for her film Haseena Parkar took place in the afternoon at Maratha Mandir.
In February 2015, for one week running, the show time of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was changed to 9.30 a.m. with an intention to discontinue it from next week. However, due to immense criticism about this move had it been made more permanent option of retaining its original positions was implemented.
