Shah Rukh Khan's 'Happy New Year' Release Postponed: Report

The much-awaited Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Happy New Year" (HNY) will not release on Diwali.

"HNY" was initially set to release on Diwali day, i.e., on 23 October, but Shah Rukh has now decided to release it on 24 October.

The release date was postponed due to Diwali. A prominent member of the film's team said that the super star believes that due to Diwali most of the people would prefer staying at home for Laxmi Puja.

The "Chennai Express" actor's decision surprised few as "Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge" was released during the same period in 1995, which became a massive hit and is one of the longest running films in India. But keeping in mind the box office competition, releasing a film on a festival day might affect the first day earnings, which is very crucial.

"Farah wanted to release on Diwali day. It was Shah Rukh's call to hold back by a day. We were all surprised considering his big blockbusters including Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge were released on Diwali. But I think Shah Rukh feels audiences don't want to step out of their homes on Diwali day.He feels they like to do Laxmi puja on that day at home," the source told DNA.

Last year, Rakesh Roshan decided to release "Krrish 3" two days before the Diwali day. Roshan too had the same opinion that people would like to stay at home on Diwali day and it would affect the collection drastically.

However, this is not the first time SRK has changed the release date of his film. Last year, "Chennai Express" release was also postponed due to Eid. Initially, Eid was supposed to fall on 8 August but since the bank holiday was on 9 August, makers of the film changed the release date to 9 August.