16th December 2023,Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan, the Badshah of Bollywood, is set to enthrall audiences once again with his upcoming film, Dunki. The anticipation around the movie is palpable, especially after the success of Pathaan and Jawan. Fans are eagerly awaiting SRK’s third cinematic venture of the year, hoping for another blockbuster. However, Dunki faces a formidable opponent in the form of Prabhas starrer Salaar, creating a buzz about a clash at the box office.
Salaar’s December Showdown
Scheduled for release on December 22, Salaar is not just any South Indian movie; it’s one of the most awaited films. Prabhas, with his massive fan following, has not actively participated in promotional activities, relying instead on the film’s potential to bring back his box office glory. The clash between Dunki and Salaar raises questions about how both films will fare in this head-to-head competition.
Prabhas’ Strategic Move: A Face-to-Face Meeting with SRK
In a strategic move to ensure Salaar’s success, Prabhas has reportedly sought a face-to-face meeting with Shah Rukh Khan. The agenda? Allocating screens between Salaar and Dunki to maximize the reach of both films. According to a source in Hyderabad, Prabhas is pushing for a 50:50 screen ratio, even in Hindi cinema, acknowledging Shah Rukh Khan’s dominance there. The meeting may decide the fate of these two highly anticipated movies.
Salaar vs Dunki: The Clash of Styles
The clash isn’t just about box office numbers; it’s also a clash of styles. Salaar, described as a massy film, stands in contrast to Dunki, which is pitched as a classy offering. The logic behind the screen allocation, as per Prabhas’ team, hinges on this distinction. SRK and Rajkumar Hirani, the director of Dunki, are positioning the film as a potential blockbuster, drawing inspiration from the success of Pathaan and Jawan.
Budget Dynamics: Dunki’s Cost Advantage
A close friend of Shah Rukh Khan revealed an interesting aspect of Dunki’s production. Despite the film’s star-studded cast, including Boman Irani, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, Vikram Kochhar, and Anil Grover, Dunki reportedly cost almost one-fourth of Pathaan and Jawan. Moreover, Dunki’s budget is just one-third of Salaar’s budget. This budget dynamic could potentially give Dunki a significant advantage, making it a financially viable option.
The Unpredictable SRK Factor
While Dunki may have a budgetary advantage, the unpredictable factor remains Shah Rukh Khan himself. Known for his immense popularity and the love showered upon him by fans, a Shah Rukh Khan movie has the potential to transcend expectations. Despite Dunki’s lower production costs, the charismatic appeal of SRK could elevate the film to unforeseen heights.
Star-Studded Casts: Dunki vs Salaar
Dunki boasts an ensemble cast, including the seasoned Boman Irani, the versatile Taapsee Pannu, the talented Vicky Kaushal, and others. On the other side, Salaar features Shruti Haasan, Jagapathi Babu, Bobby Simha, Tinnu Anand, Easwari Rao, Sriya Reddy, and Ramachandra Raju. The clash extends beyond the leads, with both films presenting a stellar lineup of actors, adding to the excitement of this cinematic showdown.
The clash between Dunki and Salaar is not merely a clash of release dates but a clash of styles, budgets, and star power. As fans eagerly await the verdict at the box office, the strategic meeting between Prabhas and Shah Rukh Khan adds an extra layer of intrigue to this high-stakes cinematic showdown. Only time will tell which titan will emerge victorious in this battle for audience attention and box office supremacy.
-by Kashvi Gala