Pandemics Situation Leads To The Postponing Of Fast And Furious And Bell Bottom Movie Releases

When most states' cinemas have yet to open, Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures opted to start releasing their pictures wherever they could last month. As soon as Delhi opened, the decision was made to release Fast & Furious 9, the much-anticipated sequel, on August 19. However, Bellbottom, starring Akshay Kumar, was set to be released on the same day a day later. It caused some alarm and anxiety in the trade and exhibition industry. They believed that in such cases, a clash should be avoided and that both films should be released on different dates.

The release of Fast & Furious 9 has been postponed. The movie will now be released on September 3rd. “It's a good call,” a trade source said, “because theatres in most states are at 50 percent capacity.” Furthermore, in several regions of the country, a night curfew has been implemented.

With these constraints, combining two big-budget mass entertainment would not have done justice to either film's potential. Single-screen theater were particularly concerned, as they might only be able to show one film.”

“This news is wonderful for the 2K single screen theatre owners,” said Vishek Chauhan, proprietor of Roopbani Cinema in Bihar. With Bellbottom on August 19, Chehre (featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi) on August 27, and Fast & Furious 9 on September 3, we finally have a great movie schedule. If Mumbai releases on September 1, other films will follow in the weeks that follow.”

All concerns, however, have yet to be addressed. Maharashtra is yet to be allowed to open, despite accounting for 30% of box office receipts. “It remains to be seen if cinemas in Maharashtra gain authorization to start in a few days or if they open directly in the first week,” the trade source concluded. If the latter occurs, Bellbottom and Chehre's businesses will be harmed. If Maharashtra is operating by September 3, Fast & Furious 9 may be able to collect more.”