Subhash K Jha (DNA; May 10, 2016)

With Farhan Akhtar’s production, and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees inveigling itself into the prized release date (January 26) of Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil, the stage is set for a potentially ruinous clash at the box-office on Republic Day. Hrithik, who is a childhood buddy of Farhan, has sent out feelers to Farhan for an amicable settlement to the deadlock.

Hrithik and Farhan go back a long way. They are childhood friends. When Farhan turned director with Dil Chahta Hai, Hrithik was his first choice for the cast. They later worked together in Lakshya. This clash is not what either of them would want. A meeting between the two friends is on the cards. But the problem is, neither of the two parties are willing to back out. When contacted Kaabil producer Rakesh Roshan said, “Kaabil is releasing on January 26, 2017. I had planned the release in February this year. Which is almost a year in advance.” Raees director Rahul Dholakia seems resigned to a clash. Says Rahul, “It’s the producers’ call. I am with them in whatever they feel is best for the film.”

It doesn’t look like either of them is going to budge.