Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; May 12, 2016)

Blocking dates for a film’s release much in advance — at times, before it goes on floors — is commonplace. However, filmmakers often tend to do a rethink in case of a possible clash with another project, especially a big- ticket one. And if sources are to be believed, makers of Akshay Kumar-starrer Rustom are contemplating shifting their release date to avoid a box office contest with Hrithik Roshan’s Mohenjo Daro on August 12.

Says a source, “Until recently, makers of both films were not willing to change their initial release date, but now it looks like Rustom will arrive in theatres a week before Mohenjo Daro.” According to reports, Hrithik met Akshay recently and requested him to change his film’s release date.

Rustom producers Neeraj Pandey and Shital Bhatia remained unavailable for comment while a source close to the romantic thriller confirms that it will hit theaters on August 5, adding, “The decision was taken to avoid a situation where the business of both films would have been affected. Both films star big names and are highly anticipated; coming together on the same day would have been unwise.”

Rustom, helmed by Tinu Suresh Desai, has Ileana D’Cruz as Akshay’s leading lady while in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Mohenjo Daro, Hrithik Roshan will be seen romancing newcomer Pooja Hegde.