Shah Rukh Khan vs Akshay Kumar: ‘OUATIMA’ Makes Way for ‘Chennai Express’

The much-awaited film of the year - "Chennai Express" - starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone is set for solo release after the makers of "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai - Again" (OUATIMA) decided to make way for Rohit Shetty's film.

Two big budget films - "Chennai Express" and "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai - Again" - were set to clash at the box office on 8 August on the ocassion of Eid.

Balaji Motion Pictures has reportedly decided to postpone the release of "OUATIMA" after talks with the makers of "Chennai Express", as releasing the films on the same day would affect the business prospects.

Akshay Kumar and Imran Khan starrer "OUATIMA" is now set to hit the screens on Independence Day i.e. 15 August.

According to reports, Ekta Kapoor, producer of "OUATIMA" has decided to give the two films sufficient space at box office so that they don't eat into each other's profit.

"It made better sense to release the Akshay-Imran starrer on the next bank holiday, i.e. August 15," a source told the Mumbai Mirror.

Sources close to Balaji told the newspaper that the makers of SRK starrer urged Jeetendra, who is also the chairman Balaji Motion Pictures, for a possible change in the release date of "OUATIMA".  

The 71-year-old actor and film producer spoke to the Balaji team to change the date of the film to avoid the clash.

"However, "Chennai Express" and "OUATIM - Again" belong to two different genres and there is enough and more room for two good films to work at the box office, even if they release on the same day," an industry insider told the Mumbai Mirror.