Mumbai: ‘Pathaan’ fever seems to have gripped India.
Such has been the demand for tickets to watch the Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer, that records are being broken since advance bookings opened three days ago.
Due to be released on the big screen on February 25, advance collections of ‘Pathaan’ have already surpassed most post-COVID Bollywood releases with dozens of first-day shows sold out.
To meet the growing demand, exhibitors are opening early morning shows from 6 am for the first week, media reports quoted trade sources as saying.
Those who get up early can catch the Siddharth Anand-directed spy thriller at 6 am on theatres across India – a rarity for Bollywood films.
According to a report in The Times of India, Yash Raj Films (YRF) has decided to screen ‘Pathaan’ in premium formats like IMAX 2D, CGV 4DX 2D, D-BOX 2D, PVR P(XL) and CGR ICE 2D thanks to the amazing audience demand.
The film, part of YRF’s spy universe, is being released in Hindi, as well as Telugu and Tamil-dubbed versions. The early morning shows will be opened for all languages and formats, wherever slots are available.
The extremely high level of interest can be attributed to ‘Pathaan’ being Shah Rukh’s first major film role in over four years as well as the controversy generated over its song ‘Besharam Rang’.
Politicians and right-wing organisations objected to Deepika’s saffron outfit and other objectionable scenes, demanding its ban unless those were rectified.
‘Pathaan’ will be finally releasing after CBFC ordered multiple cuts and edits. The film’s runtime is 2 hours, 26 minutes.
Also Read: ‘Pressure From Ministry’: Pathaan Victim Of Controversy, Says Ex-CBFC Chairman Pahlaj Nihalani
