Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; October 22, 2014)

Mega releases are lined up for the next couple of years as Bollywood sees a strategic rise in advance planning like never before. The Khans have always jostled for release dates coinciding with major festive occasions but going by the industry grapevine, it will be Salman all the way for 2015 and 2016.

A source says, “Salman has pre-booked the Eid and Diwali weeks of 2015 for two of his films, Kabir Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sooraj Barjatya’s Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, respectively.” The three Khans of the industry — SRK, Salman and Aamir — have always been particular about the release dates of their films.

While Salman prefers to release his films around Eid, SRK usually goes for Diwali and Aamir swears by Christmas. “These three festive occasions are always reserved for the Khans and no one else has ever dared to time the release of their films with the trio,” adds the source.

Similarly, for 2016, he has blocked YRF’s Sultan for Eid and Karan Johar’s Shhuddhi as his Diwali release. A source close to the actor says, “Salman has always released his films on Eid but in the next two years, it will be double bonanza for all his fans as his films hit the theatres on Eid as well as Diwali.”

Salman’s spokesperson remained unavailable for comment.