Besides SRK's 'Pathaan', here's another reason why Kartik Aaryan's 'Shehzada' release date got postponed

Sources say Shehzada’s makers delayed release to shoot new dance number with Kartik-Kriti; hope to boost audiences’ interest in album
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; February 2, 2023)

On Monday, the makers of Shehzada announced that they are deferring its release from February 10 to 17 “out of respect for Pathaan.” But it looks like the runaway success of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer isn’t the only reason for the postponement. Sources tell us that director Rohit Dhawan is shooting a new song with leads Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon.

An insider attributes the last-minute addition to the tepid response that the album has generated. “Besharam Rang and Jhoome Jo Pathaan are topping the music charts. No movie song released since January, including Shehzada’s Munda Sona Hoon Main and Chedkhaniyan, has been able to match their popularity. So, the makers decided to shoot a new promotional song that will pique audiences’ interest,” says the source. Bosco Martis is choreographing the number that is being filmed in Madh Island.

The decision to delay the film’s release also stems from the unavailability of adequate screens on February 10. A trade source says, “Exhibitors want to make the most of Pathaan’s glorious run. It remains to be seen how many screens Shehzada gets in mid-February when Pathaan will enter its fourth week.”