The Diwali box office is turning into a turf war between Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa’s Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat and Dinesh Vijan’s Thamma. What looked like a festive release lineup has now turned into a full-scale battle for multiplex screens.
Sources say the Deewaniyat team has raised objections over unfair showcasing and asked multiplex chains for equal screen allocation. With a strong soundtrack and a trailer that’s clicked with the masses, the team believes their romantic drama deserves the same space as Thamma, even with its smaller budget.
The dispute reportedly began because of an internal link between PVRInox and Vijan’s production team. A senior former PVRInox executive is said to have joined Vijan’s company, allegedly influencing how screens are being distributed.
Producers of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat have urged multiplex management to stay neutral and let genuine audience demand decide screen sharing instead of industry connections.
Advance bookings for both films open on October 17, but the ongoing standoff could affect scheduling. Reports suggest Thamma has demanded 75% of shows, leaving just 25% for Deewaniyat.
Featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Thamma is part of Maddock Films’ Horror Comedy Universe, while Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat banks on romance and emotion. This Diwali, it’s shaping up to be a clash between love and fear both fighting for audience attention.
