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Aamir Khan was the trendsetter when pre-booking of his Talaash started months in advance. A never heard before concept in India, it has now paid off, what with the film seeing good occupancy guaranteed for it even though it is still more than a week ahead. Now Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar have also taken lead and their Dabangg 2 and Khiladi 786 are up for grabs as well.
“More and more filmmakers have now started doing that when it comes to biggies starring the Top-5 superstars we have in the country today,” says an insider, “Aamir started it and Shah Rukh Khan as well as Ajay Devgn followed for Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Son Of Sardaar respectively. Their fans rejoiced as they could confirm their tickets weeks in advance for that much awaited First Day First Show. With multiplex count as well as number of available shows increasing in a massive way over last one year, a concept like this has started benefiting everyone.”
Though pre-bookings are open only at PVR, other multiplex chains are also expected to follow suit.
“They would have to,” adds an expert, “Even though both Salman and Akshay are starring in quintessential ‘masala’ affairs which would have a massive presence amongst the single screen audience, they are not alienating multiplexes. On the contrary they are arriving in a huge way. This is the reason why tickets of their films are already been made available even though they are two to four weeks away from release.”
This is also an indication of star-power ruling roost where even multiplexes are willing to keep a record number of screens aside well in advance. With each of the three Khans along with Akshay and Ajay getting their share, it won’t be surprising when 2013 sees Hrithik Roshan (Krrish 3), Saif Ali Khan (Race 2), Ranbir Kapoor (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani), Emraan Hashmi (Ek Thi Daayan) and Imran Khan (Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola) join the race as well and extend the trend.
Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder
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