Aamir, Dev treat in year-end blast

KOLKATA: Aamir Khan as Sahir or Dev as Shankar? The vrooming machines or the call of the wild? The cop-thief chase or the hunt for goldmine?
Vijay Krishna Acharya's 'Dhoom 3' and Kamaleshwar Mukherjee's 'Chander Pahar', which hit the screen on December 20, is a classic clash of two genres - adventure against action, a classic in the backdrop of wild Africa versus a spectacular heist drama.It promises to be the perfect year-end blast. So you have a job at hand to choose between the two. Or, at least, which one to have a go first.
Both the films have been eagerly awaited for several months. With curiosity reaching a feverish pitch, the distributors are cautiously treading the last mile, making sure that the interest translates into a box-office bonanza. So, while 'Dhoom 3' has adopted 'a less is more' approach, 'Chander Pahar' has gone ahead with a publicity blitz that cost Rs 80 lakh, just as unprecedented as the film's budget of Rs 15 crore.
The audience can't wait to see the action. Class V student Rapti Moitra is yet undecided which film to catch first. While she has read 'Chander Pahar' and is itching to catch the exploits of Shankar on screen, she can't ignore Aamir Khan in his new avatar either. "Both are going to be absolute thrillers for sure. I won't miss either, but I am slightly more inclined towards 'Dhoom 3' for the sheer visual spectacle that it promises," she said.
Others like Aryadeep Roy, a college student, were more taken by 'Chander Pahar'. "It's a classic that has been filmed on a grand scale. The story, the locale and the animals make it a must-watch," he said.
It's a challenge to sustain this interest till the film hits the screens, felt the distributors of 'Dhoom 3'. "The film is already a big brand and the buzz is there. We are reaching every section of the audience, making sure that there isn't a publicity overkill. Audiences are curious and this should make them watch the film. If all goes well, 'Dhoom 3' is poised to shatter all records," said a spokesperson for Jalan distributors.
Srikant Mohta of Shri Venkatesh Films, the producers and distributors of 'Chander Pahar', said they were not wary of the competition from 'Dhoom 3'. "If there's a buzz around it, our film has generated a huge curiosity as well. The build-up has been a grand one with hoardings, posters, TV and radio spots apart from print advertisements and Internet trailers. 'Chander Pahar' is everywhere in the city now," said Mohta.
The film will be released in 180 theatres across the state and the distributors expect an equal number of shows at multiplexes as 'Dhoom 3'. But will the audience split their loyalties between the two films? Mohta didn't think so. "The Christmas week is a festive period when people usually go out and spend more. Also, many watch two films a week in any case. We expect an 80% collection in the first week," added Mohta.
City multiplexes haven't yet decided on the number of shows that the films will have. Inox will decide on the number three days prior to the release. "There's obviously a huge interest and a rush for tickets is on the anvil. But we will decide on the number of shows after assessing the performance of films that are slated to be released this week," said Subhashish Ganguly, regional director, Inox.