Kantara – Chapter 1 Makers Shock Exhibitors With Never-Seen-Before Demands; Clash With Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari Turns Ugly. Detail

The much-hyped box office battle between Kantara- Chapter 1 and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari has taken an unexpected turn. With just days left for release, exhibitors across the country are stunned by the conditions being put forward by the distributors of Kantara.

The Unusual Demands

According to CineInfinity sources, AA Films, which is handling the distribution of Kantara – Chapter 1, has issued a mail to cinema owners with their showcasing requirements. What has raised eyebrows is their insistence that single screens, two-screen and even three-screen theatres should not share shows with any other film.

While asking for complete control in single screens is something exhibitors have seen in the past, this time the demand has gone several notches higher. Insiders reveal that AA Films has asked for:

• All shows in single screens (which was already locked during War when exhibitors were told Kantara won’t be given unless War got 100% single screen showcasing).
• 12 shows in two-screen cinemas, which practically means both screens must play only Kantara.
• 18 shows in three-screen multiplexes – again, equal to grabbing every available show.

Trade veterans point out that this is perhaps the first time a distributor has pushed for 100% shows in a three-screen property, leaving no space for the competing release.

Exhibitors Left Divided

While some cinema owners acknowledge Kantara’s massive hype and brand value, many feel the demand is unreasonable. An exhibitor told us on condition of anonymity, “We respect the craze for Kantara. But Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari also looks promising for family audiences and youth. Ideally, both films should get space. Completely blocking one out is unfair.”

Even Bigger Numbers For Multiplex Chains

The showcasing request doesn’t stop there. The mail further insists on a strict screen count across larger multiplexes:

IMAX Push Ends Another Film’s Run

The demands extend to IMAX screens as well. AA Films has asked exhibitors to dedicate 100% of IMAX shows to Kantara- Chapter 1, which means that Demon Slayer & Jolly LLB 3 will have to wrap up its successful run on October 1.

The Dharma Countermove

While the showcasing demand from AA Films is indeed real, Cineinfinity sources confirm that the Kantara team has officially pushed for complete control in single, two and three-screen theatres, the story doesn’t end there.

As per our own trade sources, Dharma Productions is actively negotiating for fair showcasing of Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. Banner has made it clear that their film deserves its rightful share, especially in 2 and 3 screen properties where family audiences expect variety.

This tug-of-war has created a deadlock of sorts. Insiders reveal that until a middle ground is reached, exhibitors are hesitant to open full fledged advances for either film. The standoff could delay advance bookings, with both sides waiting to see who blinks first.

If Dharma secures even partial showcasing in 2-3 screen cinemas, the clash could turn into a far more balanced battle than what Kantara’s distributors had originally envisioned.
 

The Clash Gets Fiercer

Box office clashes are common, but what’s happening with Kantara vs. Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is far from ordinary. The already locked single-screen deal during War was one thing but now asking two-screen and three-screen owners to wipe out every other film has left the trade industry both surprised and divided.

Whether exhibitors bow down to this never-before demand or resist it will decide how stormy this clash turns out to be. But one thing is certain—this battle is no longer just about films, it’s about control over cinema screens in India.

Stay Tuned with CineInfinity for more updates on this.