Subhash K Jha (DNA; July 31, 2017)

After Hrs had reported that there are uncanny similarities between Farhan Akhtar’s Lucknow Central and Yash Raj Films’ Qaidi Band. Both films are about a group of prisoners forming a musical band to escape prison.

While the story of Farhan’s film was already known, the trailer of Qaidi Band — introducing two newcomers — revealed its storyline only a few days ago. That came as a shock to producer Nikkhil Advani. Also, YRF announced that they are releasing on August 25 almost a month ahead of Lucknow Central, leaving the latter team fuming in rage.

Says a source in the know, “Farhan’s film was written, shot and the release was planned months ago. Qaidi Band jumped into the scene all of a sudden, and was completed in record time. It’s almost as if the quickie was planned to pre-empt Lucknow Central and steal its thunder.”

We now hear of the Lucknow Central team trying to bring its release date ahead. Because watching a film on the same theme just a month later is likely to damage its box-office prospects.