Contrary to the rumours about the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki being pushed to avoid a box-office clash with the Prabhas-starrer Salaar Part 1: Ceasefire, we have learnt from industry sources that both the films will hit the theatres on December 22.

“The film is not getting postponed. In fact, the producers of both the films are fighting for screens. In North India, distributors will opt for the SRK film as their first choice, especially after the success of Jawan and Pathaan. They are planning to go for 3:1 ratio with three shows for Dunki and one for Salaar, which is not acceptable to the makers of both the films,” says a source.

Another source adds, “Now, the makers are resorting to arm-twisting tactics, putting distributors in a dilemma. Anil Thadani’s AA films that’s distributing Salaar has told the distributors that they will give (actor) Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal to only those who give more shows to Salaar. The producers of Dunki, on the other hand, are also using their future lineup to get more screens.”

Another industry insider says, “There is a lot of pressure on distributors with all this arm-twisting.” Trade expert Taran Adarsh shares, “The big clash will happen on the big screen and there’s a lot of tension is the industry.”