Delayed Release of Salaar Movie Audience Gets Upset

The upcoming action film “Salaar,” starring Prabhas and directed by Prashanth Neel, has been embroiled in some controversy recently. Here’s a breakdown of the main issues:

1. Casting Choice:

• Some fans of Kannada cinema expressed disappointment with the casting of Telugu superstar Prabhas in the lead role.
• They felt that Prashanth Neel, a rising director in Kannada cinema, should have prioritized local talent over choosing a pan-Indian star like Prabhas.
• This sentiment sparked the hashtag #KannadaForKannadigas on social media.

2. Multiplex Chain Controversy:

• The film’s release in South India faced challenges with major multiplex chains like PVR, Inox, and Miraj Cinemas.
• The makers of “Salaar” alleged that these chains were favoring Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film “Dunki” by allocating more screens, leading to limited screenings for “Salaar.”
• This resulted in the #BoycottPVRInox hashtag trending on social media, with fans expressing their displeasure with the perceived unfair treatment.

3. Single-Screen Theaters:

• Reports emerged that the team of “Dunki” allegedly pressured single-screen theater owners in North India to exclusively showcase their film, bypassing “Salaar.”
• This led to a strong response from the single-screen association, who refused to screen “Dunki” in protest.
• The situation further escalated the “Salaar” vs “Dunki” rivalry.

4. Ticket Pricing Discrepancies:

• In Andhra Pradesh, “Salaar” tickets were priced at a significantly lower rate compared to Telangana, raising concerns about unfair pricing strategies.
• This discrepancy further fueled the controversy surrounding the film’s release.

Current Status:

• The makers of “Salaar” have decided to pull the film from PVR Inox and Miraj Cinemas in South India in response to the alleged bias.
• The film is still scheduled to release on December 29, 2023, but the controversy has undoubtedly impacted its pre-release buzz.

Overall, the “Salaar” controversy highlights the complex dynamics of the Indian film industry, particularly the tensions between regional and pan-Indian cinema, and the challenges faced by filmmakers in navigating distribution channels. It remains to be seen how the film will perform at the box office amidst this controversy.