The Great Eid 2020 Clash, Trade Analysts Speak

 For Eid next year  it is Salman Khan versus Akshay Kumar at  the  boxoffice.As Salman starts  shooting for Prabhudheva’s Radhe: Your  Most Wanted  Bhai as his Eid 2020 release, Akshay Kumar also works his way through his  horror  thriller Laaxmi Bomb for the same coveted  date. The sheer uniqueness  of  Akshay’s  project where he plays a transgender may prove the USP of Laaxmi Bomb. But then Salman is Salman.

Says  trade  guru Taran Adarsh, “Radhe versus Laxmmi Bomb… Salman Khan versus Akshay Kumar… It can’t get any bigger than that… Two biggies arriving on a festival is a common occurence. In fact, we had multiple biggies clashing during Diwali in the 1970s and 1980s. Over the years, the festivals witnessed solo releases most of the times. Not anymore.”

Taran feels  such a festive clash is inevitable. “We have 52 weeks in a year and with so many films including biggies in the pipeline, a clash cannot be averted.Salman and Akshay are big stars and the clash will be looked forward to even more minutely because, Eid, over the years, was synonymous with Salman. This clash is special and let the best one win. If both films work, it would only pave way for more clashes in future.”

Adds trade analyst Atul Mohan, “This will be a huge and  interesting clash to look out for. Both Salman and AK have delivered the  maximum number 100-crore movies and are neck to neck in the  count. Radhe and Laaxmi Bomb are helmed by choreographers turned actors turned directors Prabhu deva and Raghava Lawrence. Both films are remakes,  one of a South Indian film and the other  of a Korean film. Eid is synonymous with a Salman and for the first time someone else is trying to enter that domain. AK had earlier announced Sooryavnshi as his Eid 2020 release but later postponed his project ,as at that time it was to clash with Inshaallah. Now with the Bhansali  film shelved Radhe  is coming with Laaxmi Bomb.”

Atul feels there is room for two  blockbusters  during  a  festive week. “The box office of both will be divided and there is no doubt about it. But it has been seen  that two films can do huge business when they opted to  come on same Friday but on condition  that content of both should be liked.”

Trade  expert Girish Johar has a hunch that  both the film will hit the  jackpot. “Both Radhe and  Laaxmi Bomb  coming on Eid 2020.I am sure the boxoffice will explode. Akshay Kumar is on a career high and has given back-to-back hits. He is dabbling with various genres successfully,giving the right mix to his fans and ensuring that he leaves them asking for more. Coming three  to four  times a year, Akshay is vertiable one-man industry.”

Girish feels Laaxmi Bomb  has has  an  added  advantage . “LB is again horror-action-drama zone, a new genre for Hindi audiences and is also an official remake of  the Tamil blockbuster Kanchana. The  first  look has been loved by all and nailed the excitement-level to a peak.On the other hand, Salman Khan is maintaining his hold on the Eid slot and coming up with hardcore sleek action with style in Radhe. His fans love him to the core and the first look has made fans go  crazy. At the box office , it will be mayhem this Eid 2020.Akshay will surely have its economics in place and with Salman firepower I am sure both will do well at the BO.”

Girish doesn’t see this as a  clash.  “I feel this is broadening the boxoffice  horizons, and who better than Akshay Kumar and  Salman Khan  to create new records at the boxoffice.”