Pratik Sur (DNA; July 10, 2014)

Shahid Kapoor’s Haider and Hrithik Roshan’s Bang Bang are both releasing on the same day — October 2 — on Gandhi Jayanti. Ironically, both films have violence. One in the title (Bang!) and the other in content. Lets look at the pros and cons.

Enlarge ImageHaider

 Fresh pair
Shahid Kapoor-Shraddha Kapoor are facing the camera for the first time. Will they work the magic on the big screen?

Shakespearean
An adaptation of Hamlet. The trailer is dark, gloomy and disturbing. This will hold appeal to a niche audience. It’s likely to be more critic-friendly than cash-friendly at the box-office.

Behind the camera
This is Vishal Bhardwaj’s film. He has his loyal audience. Though his last film was rejected by the cinegoers, he is known for his brand of cinema and has his followers.

Bang Bang

Old pair
Enlarge ImageHrithik Roshan-Katrina Kaif have worked together in Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara and they sizzled on the screen.

Holly-inspired
The posters of the film show this to be a multiplex-friendly film. It has speed, guns, glamour and thrills. But this is a remake of a Hollywood film, Knight and Day, which has been watched by the janta. Will it still lure them to the theatres is the big question?

Behind the camera
This film is being directed by Siddharth Anand, whose last film didn't exactly set the box office on fire. Also, this four-film-old director has a loyal audience.

The big clash
Trade analyst Akshay Rathi says, “I don’t think trade will get affected, because people who will watch Haider will not be able to stand Bang Bang and vice versa. However, UTV and FOX Star Studios are backing the two projects respectively and therefore they will make sure that the two films get enough number of screens to release. Haider is more for the classy audience whereas Bang Bang, a remake of Knight and Day, will be more for the masala-loving single screen audience.”