Hiren Kotwani (BOMBAY TIMES; September 19, 2016)

Even as Rakesh Roshan revealed his plans of making Krrish 4 next and releasing it on the Christmas 2018 weekend, social media has been abuzz with the filmmaker's second clash with Shah Rukh Khan. Already the filmmaker's upcoming film Kaabil, starring Hrithik Roshan is in for a theatrical face-off with Raees (which SRK is also producing with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani) on Republic Day 2017. Roshan clarifies he wasn't aware that SRK had announced the release of his movie with Aanand L Rai - in which he plays a dwarf - on Christmas 2018.

Emphasising on the fact that he had no idea the 2018 date was taken, Roshan Sr told BT, “It is unethical for me to release my film on this date as Shah Rukh has already announced his movie.“ However, he's in no mood to shift Kaabil, as he states, “I had announced the date for Kaabil earlier. If they are coming on the same date, then I can't do anything about it.“

Roshan adds, “I don't know what they will eventually decide. We're here to make films, not create controversies. As far as Shah Rukh is concerned, he's like a younger brother to me. I gave him a break in King Uncle, and then worked with him in Karan Arjun and Koyla.“

When probed if he would shift Kaabil from Republic Day if SRK requests, Roshan maintains, “I don't move my release date, if I have announced it first.When Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai was releasing on January 14, 2000, Aamir Khan's Mela was coming on January 7, Shah Rukh's Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani on January 21 and Anil Kapoor's Pukar on February 4. Some distributors suggested I move my film as Hrithik was a newcomer. They left the film because I didn't change my release date.“