Box-office Battles: 'Bajirao Mastani' loses single screens to 'Dilwale'

Mark off today’s date, December 18, 2015! Today is the start of one of the most outrageous box-office battle Bollywood has ever seen as Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus period drama, 'Bajirao Mastani' (starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra) and Rohit Shetty’s grander-than-ever masala flick, 'Dilwale' (starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon) hit screens.
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But even before the shows set running, 'Bajirao Mastani' has lost one to 'Dilwale' as single screen theatres refused to honour a pre-signed contract with Eros International, distributors of 'BM.'
The contract prohibited single screens from running any other film except for 'BM' for a week. However, the single screen owners fear they might lose on potential business with this deal and hence, collectively decided to have an equal number of shows for both, 'Dilwale' and 'Bajirao Mastani.'
Following this, Eros moved the High Court on Wednesday, but in vain as the judgment was passed in favour of the single screen owners. The HC allowed owners to run shows for both films. Though what led to this verdict, is not clear yet.
Eros International issued a media statement saying, “We have valid signed contracts and the court pointed out that we have recourse to damages on solo houseful basis. However, we hope to settle amicably. We already have the showcasing as per our strategy and are getting very positive reactions for 'Bajirao Mastani' from all over the world. We are confident our magnificent film will be a winner with the audiences.”
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Listen to songs of Bajirao Mastani on Gaana.com
WATCH: Ranveer Singh learns Kalaripayattu for Bajirao Mastani - TOI