Filmmakers typically avoid releasing two high-budget films on the same day to minimize the risk of one overshadowing the other at the box office. High-budget films require significant investment in marketing, distribution, and promotion, and the financial risk associated with clashing releases can be damaging for both. With limited screen space and audience attention, competing films could see reduced ticket sales, which is why filmmakers often schedule their releases to avoid direct competition.
One major advantage of avoiding a clash is that each film has a better chance of maximizing earnings. When two big films are released together, they divide the audience, resulting in lower box office performance for both. By selecting a different release date, a film can attract a larger audience and dominate the box office for a longer period. For instance, Dhanush‘s ‘NEEK’ and Pradeep Ranganathan’s ‘Dragon’ avoided clashing with Ajith’s Vidaamuyarchi, ensuring their wide release.
Filmmakers also plan releases around holidays or peak seasons to increase foot traffic, but clashing during such periods can reduce revenue for both films. When films with dedicated fan bases are released at the same time, fans might choose one over the other, affecting overall box office collections. To avoid this, strategic release dates are chosen. The makers of Dhanush’s ‘Idli Kadai’ are in consideration to avoid a clash with Ajith’s ‘Good Bad Ugly’ on April 10 to ensure better results.
“Box office clashes are part of the business. Every actor wants his film to succeed, but at the end of the day, the audience decides. It’s important for filmmakers to ensure they make films that are worth watching,” said Dhanush during his old interview with The Hindu.
“Box office clashes are inevitable. What matters is how much effort we put into making a film that stands out. Healthy competition is good for the industry, but we must respect the audience’s choices,” shared Vishal during the promotion of ‘Thupparivalan’ with Behindwoods.
During an interaction with Indiaglitz Tamil, Suriya said “When a good film is released, it will shine no matter what. We should not be too concerned about the competition; it is about the quality of the content.”
Not only South films, but Bollywood films have also had big box office clashes. Here’s what director Anees Bazmee of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ said when the film clashed with ‘Singham Again’ during his interview with Etimes. “Both films succeeding is vital for the industry, as movies involve significant investment and create jobs,” said Anees Bazmee. “I don’t believe in competition; it’s a collective effort, and I’m happy to see both films doing well.”
On the flip side, one of the potential disadvantages of avoiding a clash is the fear of “crowding” the calendar. If two big films choose to release on different dates within a short window, they might still compete for the same pool of viewers, especially if the audience is divided along genre lines. This can lead to a crowded box office, with several big films releasing close to each other and reducing the individual films’ earnings. Thus, scheduling releases too far apart can sometimes result in less-than-expected box office performance due to oversaturation. Filmmakers must find the delicate balance between avoiding direct competition and not overcrowding the calendar.
Moreover, avoiding a clash could result in one of the films losing the opportunity to capitalize on the initial momentum created by the other. In some cases, a high-budget film’s release might overshadow smaller productions or serve as a boost for a film with less recognition. By avoiding direct competition, filmmakers miss the opportunity for cross-promotion, which could otherwise help both films. Ultimately, while avoiding a clash offers many advantages, it requires careful consideration of timing, market demand, and overall strategy to ensure that each film has the maximum chance of success.
