Several Bollywood releases have been postponed in 2015. Here's why

With the release of 'NH10' being pushed ahead by a week, we track some other projects that have been delayed and some films that were inexplicably shelved this year

While announcing a film, the makers barely forget to declare the tentative release date along with it. But then the proverbial slip between the cup and the lip often interferes with their plans — like in case of Anushka Sharma's maiden production venture 'NH10' whose release has been delayed by a week. The film was supposed to release on March 6, but will now hit the big screen on March 13.

Neil Bhoopalam and Anushka Sharma in a still from 'NH10'

The producers of the film have attributed the delay to "unavoidable circumstances", but sources have revealed that the film is yet to get the green signal from the Censor Board. 'NH10', which deals with the subject of honour killing, is peppered with cuss words apart from violent sequences. The first trailer of the film was issued an 'A' certificate.

Shah Rukh Khan in a still from 'Fan', which will not keep up its pre-Independence Day rendezvous with cine-goers as the VFX work is taking inordinately long. Pic/Satyajit Desai

Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani says: "The film was submitted to us last Friday. We were considering it as a special case for clearance, but we have a board meeting on Monday and will be able to see the film only on Wednesday. We are trying our best to speed up the process, clearing films and promos even on Sunday."

Legal wrangle has pushed 'Badmaashiyaan' ahead by a week

Besides 'NH10', many other films have been pushed ahead due to various reasons. Initially slated for a February 27 release, 'Badmaashiyaan' starring Sharib Hashmi and other fresh-faced actors will have to wait longer to greet moviegoers, thanks to a legal dispute. A source close to the production team says: "The hearing of the case is on Tuesday and so, the makers have postponed the release date."

'Main Aur Charles' starring Randeep Hooda as bikini-killer Charles Sobhraj was supposed to release in March, but will most likely hit the theatres in May

Another film is Subhash Kapoor's 'Guddu Rangeela', which, instead of a March release, will hit the marquee on July 3 along with the Abhishek Bachchan-Asin starrer, 'All is Well'. Reason? The ongoing cricket World Cup which will be followed by the IPL.

Subhash Kapoor's 'Guddu Rangeela' will hit the marquee on July 3 along with the Abhishek Bachchan-Asin starrer, 'All is Well'. It was initially slated for a March release

A source says, "Releasing a film during cricket tournaments is a huge gamble and that is why Guddu Rangeela's producers felt July would be an apt month to take their film to the theatres." The film stars Arshad Warsi and Amit Sadh.

Similarly, the release dates of Praval Raman's 'Main Aur Charles', Manish Mishra's 'The Legend of Michael Mishra' and Shah Rukh Khan's Fan are being reworked. The first of these three films, which has been inspired by the life of bikini-killer Charles Sobhraj, was to reach the audience in March. An industry insider says it has been delayed as one song is yet to be shot. "In all likelihood, it will see a May release. So is the case with 'The Legend of Michael Mishra', which has been postponed due to the World Cup," the source states.

'Fan', on the other hand, will not have a pre-Independence Day outing as the VFX work is taking inordinately long. That has paved the way for Karan Malhotra's 'Brothers' featuring Akshay Kumar and Sidharth Malhotra. Though nothing has been finalised yet, 'Fan' will mostly opt for a Diwali or Christmas date.

Talking about films being deferred, trade analyst Komal Nahata says: "In a larger perspective, pushing of release dates does not really matter as all that the producer wants is to block the best date for themselves and keep the others (filmmakers) away."

As of now, there are two films clashing at the box office on December 25 which includes Ranbir Kapoor's 'Tamasha' and Ranveer Singh's 'Bajirao Mastani'. Trade pundits feel that one of them might need to rework its release date though none of the makers are ready to give up on the X-mas rendezvous with cine-goers.

There is also a buzz that Ranbir's three films this year need to be spread out. A source says, "He has 'Bombay Velvet' in May and 'Jagga Jasoos' in August, both being revised dates. Then there is 'Tamasha' during X-mas. So, the films are coming too close to each other and may have to be shuffled."

In advance
Dibakar Banerjee's crime thriller 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!', which has Sushant Singh Rajput as the protagonist, will come alive on the 70mm frame on April 3, a week before its initial release date (April 10).

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