Ajay Devgn’s Son of Sardaar 2 Faces a Hurdle Before Release

Ajay Devgn’s much awaited comedy drama Son of Sardaar 2 is gearing up for release this Friday, August 1. However, just days before it hits the big screen, the film is facing a major hurdle as it is struggling to secure enough show timings across several cinema chains, particularly non national ones and single screens. While the makers had originally planned for a massive release, the road to that goal is proving tougher than expected.

As per a Pinkvilla report, the film’s distributors are pushing for 60 per cent of total show slots at theatres, but many cinema owners are not on board. “Exhibitors are willing to allot not more than 35 per cent of shows at their properties,” the report states. Some single screens have reportedly agreed to two shows a day, but non national multiplex chains are holding back, capping Devgn’s film at 35 per cent of their daily show count. This imbalance has left the team behind Son of Sardaar 2 including major distributors like PVRInox unhappy and pushing hard to renegotiate the terms.

A key reason behind this resistance is the strong performance of films already in theatres. With titles like Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha continuing to draw packed houses, exhibitors are hesitant to switch out what is already working. Meanwhile, Dhadak 2, which also releases on August 1, has taken a different route altogether. The team behind the Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri starrer is opting for a “tight release with about 1000 screens on the first day,” primarily targeting urban centres. By doing so, they have strategically avoided the fight for mass screen allocation.

Originally, Son of Sardaar 2 was set to open on 3500 screens across India, but the number might now shrink to around 2500. Negotiations between the exhibitors and makers are still underway, with the final call expected by the morning of July 31. Despite the challenges, the team remains hopeful that Ajay Devgn’s draw and the film’s blend of action and comedy will pull audiences in, even if the opening day starts with fewer showtimes than planned.

Also Read: Photos: All pictures from the trailer launch of Son Of Sardaar 2 & Dhadak 2