Akshay Kumar speaks up on averting clash with Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’

Imtiaz Ali's 'Jab Harry Met Sejal' starring Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma was first slated to release on August 11. The film was to clash with Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar starrer 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha', a film that is based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'.

However, to avert a clash at the Box Office, Shah Rukh preponed the release of 'Jab Harry Met Sejal' to August 4 so that both the films could cash on a solo release. While clashes at the Box Office are inevitable, the makers face losses like in the case of 'Kaabil' and 'Raees' or during the time 'Dilwale' and 'Bajirao Mastani' hit theatres together.

In an earlier interview, Shah Rukh spoke about averting a clash with Akshay and said, "I have always maintained that if possible, I would change the release dates of my films (to avoid clashes). Earlier, another film was releasing on August 4, but when that one was removed from that date, we thought it’s a great weekend with the Raksha Bandhan holiday too falling then. Also, I think 'JHMS' is in the space of a long-running film; it’s not a weekend-oriented film. So, we will get the benefit of the second big holiday — August 15 too. It’s that kind of film since it’s a classic love story."

While Akshay refrained from talking about the clash between 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' and 'Jab Harry Met Sejal' at many an occasion, the actor has finally reacted on the same. Talking to a leading tabloid, Akshay said, "Yes, it makes sense not to clash. In a scenario where there are 180 films releasing in a time span of 52 weeks, clashes are sometimes inevitable. But they are best avoided."

Well, Shah Rukh starrer 'JHMS' will now release on August 4, whereas Akshay's 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' will release on the decided date August 11.



























CREDITS: MUMBAI MIRROR