It will be a box office war this 18 December with "Bajirao Mastani" and "Dilwale" release. "Bajirao" and "Dilwale" are big budget films starring A-list stars of Bollywood, and both the films will fight for higher screen count.
But it looks like Ranveer Singh's "Bajirao Mastani" has taken a lead, at least at the overseas box office. The historical drama, also starring Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, will release in more than 850 screens globally.
The screen count of "Bajirao Mastani" is apparently higher than Salman Khan's "Bajrangi Bhaijaan". Salman's film was released in 800 screens overseas and now Ranveer's film has bagged the widest release.
"Eros goes HUGE with #BajiraoMastani Overseas, releasing in over 850 screens, bigger than their last blockbuster #BajrangiBhaijaan [800+]," trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted.
Eros is leaving no stone unturned to make "Bajirao Mastani" the biggest release and give "Dilwale" a tough competition at the box office.
The makers of "Bajirao Mastani" have also booked more than 6,000 screens in China, making it the widest release in the country.
"As we talk, the deal has been almost cracked with the Chinese distributors. Bajirao Mastani, with all its splendor, would be releasing in China on a massive scale. Trade estimates put the screen count in a range of over 6000," a source told Bollywood Hungama.
The screen count of "Bajirao Mastani" is getting bigger and better, but it remains to be seen if it will strike gold at the box office.
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film features Ranveer and Deepika in title role, while Priyanka plays the second female lead.