Why Bollywood filmmakers no longer fear clashing with IPL

More often than not filmmakers steer clear of releasing their films during the cricket season for they believe the audience gets divided thus affecting the films collection The mindset seems to be changing now as films continue doing well irrespective of the cricket fever Unlike previous years a couple of big projects that hit theatres during the T20 World Cup were a hit Now many films are slated to release during the IPL as well So what has made the filmmakers so confidentShah Rukh Khan in FanCricket fatigueOf the Hindi films that released during the T20 World Cup it lasted a month Kapoor amp Sons March 18 and Ki amp Ka April 1 proved to be blockbusters Trade expert Komal Nahta believes that producers have realised the fatigue factor of cricket in todays times The Indian cricket team plays tournaments one after the other but that does not mean that people are going to follow just that If they are interested in watching a movie they will even if there is an ongoing cricket seriesNahta says that this is the first year that producers are showing confidence by releasing their films after the commencement of IPL Kapoor amp Sons did well even during WC During IPL too there is a lineup of big releases This is first year that so many producers are releasing their films during the IPL I believe it is a good decision because it IPL wont affect the collections of filmsHigh licensing rateExhibitor Akshaye Rathi explains how the cricket league does not attract as many viewers as it used to There were times when IPLs live matches were screened in movie theatres Movie producers did not release their films during the tournament and exhibitors too felt screening matches would be beneficialEmraan Hashmi in Azhar biopicBut now they have realised cricket tournaments novelty factor has faded a bit and film buffs are showing interest in movies even during such leagues he says adding The licensing rate to screen live matches is very high which makes it unfeasible for exhibitors to screen them They prefer movies over cricket even from the business perspectiveCricket matches over big filmsAnother aspect is that when two films featuring Alist actors release in the same week both want to get more number of screens than the other which becomes a tough task for producers Therefore they are more confident to clash with cricket matches nowRandeep Hooda in SarbjitThere are only 52 weeks in a year to release films If we wait for the cricket season to get over to release films then we might end up not releasing any Since there is so much cricket already happening it is better to clash with one of the matches than a big film informs Nandu Ahuja Senior Vice President India theatrical Eros InternationalAhuja also points out that the decision to clash with cricket has so far been a profitable one Ki amp Ka did well despite releasing during the World Cup While some shows of a film might get affected during big matches but people who are interested in watching a film do go and catch up a show on some other day or timeConfidence is keyWith the World Cup having just concluded a host of films including Shah Rukh Khans Fan Sarbjit to name a few will hit theatres during IPL I am confident about my film Also I wanted to release my film during a cricket league as it revolves around a cricketer Having said that I think that people who want to watch a film will go and watch it no matter what I am a cricket fan too and will watch selective matches but that does not take away from my interest in films says Tony DSouza director of the Azhar biopic