At a time when the Hindi film industry is finding its footing after the success of 'Stree 2', all eyes are on the Diwali clash between franchise films 'Singham Again' and 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3', as producers challenge the belief that two major releases on the same day during a lean phase may cannibalise each other’s box office collections.

Many industry watchers believe that releasing these films one after the other, with a sufficient gap, could have helped producers realise the true box office potential of both movies — especially considering that very few films have succeeded at the box office since the beginning of the year.

“It remains to be seen if the box office can support two such large films,” said an established producer who wished to remain unnamed.

Some producers, however, feel that the gamble will pay off because both films have different appeals.

Jyoti Deshpande, president of media and content business at Reliance Industries, which co-produced 'Stree 2', the highest-grossing film of 2024, said: "The genres of both films are totally different. Two or more films clashing during a holiday period is not uncommon. Our 'Stree 2' has just emerged as the winner from a three-way clash with other films."

Reliance Industries’ Jio Studios is also a co-producer of Ajay Devgn-starrer action film 'Singham Again'.

"We have assembled the biggest ensemble of stars for this Diwali event film. 'Singham Again' will bring together all the cop characters from the 'Singham' franchise along with new cop characters," Deshpande said.

‘Singham Again’ was initially slated for an August 15 release but was postponed to avoid clashing with the highly anticipated Telugu film 'Pushpa 2 - The Rule', the sequel to 2021's blockbuster 'Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01'. The release of 'Pushpa 2’, meanwhile, had been postponed to early December.

In recent years, films in the horror-comedy and action genres have been well-received by audiences. This is reflected in the successes of films such as 'Animal', 'Munjya', and 'Stree 2'. This trend could potentially work in favour of both 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' (horror-comedy) starring Vidya Balan and Kartik Aaryan, and 'Singham Again' (action), said exhibitors and trade analysts.

Kamal Gianchandani, president of the Multiplex Association of India, said: "The genres of 'Singham Again' (action) and 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' (horror comedy) provide differentiated offerings to audiences. It is a long Diwali weekend. One must not consider it a clash of two films."

There are no capacity constraints in the exhibition industry, as there are enough single and multiplex screens to accommodate both films, Gianchandani said. Additionally, audiences not only have choices but also a compelling reason to return to theatres to watch another film, he added.

Trade analysts are also optimistic about the box office performance of these two films, largely because there is no big film in the line-up for release for five weeks after Diwali.

"The trade circuit is not worried about the clash of these two films. People will watch both films given their different genres and the high recall value of their franchises,” Veteran trade analyst Komal Nahta said. “On a Diwali weekend, people have the spending power. So, two films on a Diwali day can easily work."

Producer and film business expert Girish Johar added: "There is enough scope for both films to do well at the box office. These films do not have competition from another big-budget, star-studded film for at least five weeks after Diwali."