Amid Iran’s strikes on the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, sources say ‘Toxic’ release in the Gulf countries is on track; Allu Arjun’s Abu Dhabi shoot apparently cancelled
Yash in ‘Toxic’. Pics/Youtube, Instagram
The US and Israel’s attacks on Iran, and its retaliation, intensified over the past four days as Iran launched strikes in parts of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, and Bahrain. With West Asia gripped in a wave of conflict, there is concern among the Indian film trade about upcoming movies’ overseas business being affected by it. The UAE and Qatar, after all, are among the most crucial international markets for Indian movies.
(L-R) Atlee with Allu Arjun
Yash’s Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups, which is slated to hit theatres on March 19, will be the first litmus test. Following the strikes in the UAE, rumours were rife that theatres in the region may shut temporarily. But an insider from Vox Cinema, a multiplex chain in the UAE, told mid-day, “There was panic over the weekend, but there has been no directive to shut theatres. Toxic is releasing as planned, across 150 screens in the UAE.”
(L-R) Prashanth Neel and Jr NTR
On the production front, makers are practising precaution. Atlee had planned a patch shoot in Abu Dhabi for his next, the working title of which is AA22xA6. It was to be an extension of what the filmmaker and Allu Arjun had shot in the emirate last December. But insiders from the crew said, “The team may drop that plan. We are currently filming in Mumbai’s Chitrakoot Grounds.”
Dragon, Prashanth Neel’s film starring Jr NTR, completed its Jordan schedule on February 25. A source shared, “The unit, which began shooting there from February 15, was aware that the geopolitical scene could change fast. They wrapped up the international leg and returned safely last week,” said an insider
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