Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is in trouble after the single screen owners decided not to screen the movie. However, the decision of not screening the movie in single screens will not have a major impact on the box office collection.
Here are the reasons why Ae Dil Hai Mushkil's box office collection will not be affected
Single screens vs multiplexes: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Fawad Khan in the lead roles, is a romantic drama which mostly caters to multiplex audiences. The film will also cater to single screen audience, but it will primarily target multiplex audiences. The tickets at multiplexes are also costlier than the single screens and that will benefit the film.
Screen counts: Since the film caters more to multiplexes, the screen count at multiplexes will be higher than single screens. Even if Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is not released in single screens, the movie will still be released in multiplexes, as it is not a blanket ban.
"The COEAI hasn't called for a BAN on films with Pakistani artistes. Legally, they cannot! They have REQUESTED members to not screen them. Whether to screen, a film or not (knowing the potential risks that come with it) is each individual exhibitor's call. NOTHING changes that," exhibitor Akshaye Rathi explained.
Publicity: Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India (COEAI) decision might help the film at the box office. Shahid Kapoor-Alia Bhatt's Udta Punjab had met with the similar fate, as censor board refused to certify the film. Udta Punjab was also banned in Punjab and certain other circuits, but it did not have an impact on its box office.
Storyline and Diwali release: Karan Johar, who has a huge fan following, has directed the film and it features Ranbir, Anushka, Aishwarya and Fawad. The trailer and songs have already created a tremendous buzz for the film to get a massive opening at the box office. Also, Diwali holidays will work in the favour of the films.
