The Coronavirus scare and subsequent lockdowns over the last two years have resulted in several movies being delayed, with the closure of theatres and restrictions on travel and gatherings. In such a situation, actor Akshay Kumar feels that box-office clashes of films in Bollywood cannot be averted.

Kumar’s next, Raksha Bandhan, is set to have a box-office showdown with Laal Singh Chaddha, starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, as both the films are scheduled to release in theatres on August 11.

However, the 52-year-old hopes that both the films perform well at the ticket window. “It is a big day and it’s a three-day weekend. I believe two films can easily run (release) at the box office,” says Kumar, adding, “Due to Covid-19, the industry has lost out on two-and-a-half years. So, this (clash) will happen. We will see two films releasing in the same week.”

Going down memory lane, the actor recalls yet another clash between his and Khan’s film: “My film Welcome and Aamir’s film Taare Zameen Par (both 2007) released at the same time, and both worked well. I’m hoping that these new films will also work.”

A comedy drama, Raksha Bandhan marks Kumar’s second collaboration with filmmaker Aanand L Rai, after Atrangi Re (2021), which released on the web.

Kumar says he has enjoyed working with Rai so much that he would like to team up with the director again. He adds that when the story was narrated to him, he immediately gave it his nod and came on board.

“Some stories are universal and they touch you within five minutes (of narration). Even with Good Newwz (2019), within three to five minutes, I liked it and said okay to it,” he recounts.

Talking of his upcoming film, he adds, “I have enjoyed working on this film. It is one of my best films. I am thankful to Aanand L Rai, who has broken his own record of making two films in a year. Aanand ji is a very good person. I have done two films with him and I will do one more, if Raksha Bandhan works.”