Mumbai: Many makers of several high-profile films have rescheduled release dates of their respective movies in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. Among them are Ranveer Singh's 'Jayeshbhai Jordaar', Farhan Akhtar's 'Toofaan' and Vicky Kausal-starrer 'Sardar Udham Singh'.
"Jayeshbhai Jordaar" is now slated to release on October 2, which was the initial release date of "Toofaan". The Farhan Akhtar boxing drama has now been scheduled for September 18, reported IANS.
The decision was conveyed by Yash Raj Films (YRF) and Excel Entertainment, producers of "Jayeshbhai Jordaar" and "Toofaan" respectively, on behalf of YRF owner Aditya Chopra and Excel co-owner Ritesh Sidhwani.
"In the interest of both films and to ensure an ideal theatrical release, #AdityaChopra & @ritesh_sid have decided to release their films on different dates. YRF will release #JayeshbhaiJordaar on 2nd October and @excelmovies will release #Toofaan on 18th September 2020," read a post read on the official Twitter page of YRF.
Later in the evening, actor Vicky Kaushal took to social media and shared that his upcoming film "Sardar Udham Singh" has been pushed to January 15, 2021. The film is based on the story of Udham Singh, who assassinated Michael O' Dwyer, the former lieutenant governor of Punjab in pre-Independence India, to avenge the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in 1919. Singh was subsequently tried and convicted of murder and hanged in July 1940.
"On March 13th 1940, #SardarUdham singlehandedly assassinated Michael O' Dwyer in London to honour the lives lost at the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. His story deserves justice onscreen. Keeping that in mind, we will now see you in cinemas on 15th January 2021," Vicky wrote.
The decisions came a day after the Delhi government officially announced the shutdown of all cinema halls in the Capital until March 31 due to the outbreak of coronavirus. Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala and Jammu are other centres where cinemas have been shut down, at the time of going to print, added the IANS.
Also Read: Coronavirus Scare: Delhi Govt Orders Closure Of Schools, Colleges Till March 31
Meanwhile, the films that were already running in cinema halls are also bearing the brunt of the global outbreak of COVID-19.
The Tiger Shroff-starrer "Baaghi 3" and this week's release "Angrezi Medium", which brings back Irrfan, are the hardest hit. "Baaghi 3", which released in India on March 6, was doing brisk business till many states declared an emergency, directing halls to shut down. The film recorded the biggest opening of 2020 so far, raking in Rs 17.50 crore on day one.
Read More: Coronavirus Threat: Maharashtra Govt Orders Closure Of Theaters, Gyms
However, "Baaghi 3" is currently witnessing a slump at the box office after cinema halls were shut down in Delhi, Maharashtra, Jammu, Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka and Kerala, at the time of going to press.
While the film is expected to cross the Rs 100-crore mark, the trade had expected it to scale at least Rs 130 crore. Till Thursday, the film has managed Rs 90.67 crore, according to trade analyst Taran Adarsh's tweet.
As per several trade projections, big-ticket films like "Baaghi 3" and Rohit Shetty's postponed "Sooryavanshi" stand to see a 15-20 per cent impact on their collections under these circumstances.
The scene looks bleaker for a smaller film like "Angrezi Medium", which opened on Friday. The film is expected to see a higher impact, in the region of 25-30 per cent.
Also Read: Odisha Govt Implements COVID-19 Regulations With Immediate Effect
Trade expert Joginder Tuteja said: "Though 'Baaghi 3' has done well, one can't expect the same from upcoming biggies that release at a wide scale since the coronavirus situation would be looked at far more closely at least in the near future, till the menace settles down."
Amid rapidly the spreading coronavirus pandemic, Bollywood celebrities have taken up the responsibility to appeal to everyone to stay safe, take precautions, stop panicking and desist from spreading rumours.
Sharing a selfie where she wears a mask, Sonakshi Sinha wrote on Instagram: "As the world battles #coronavirus, let's ensure we do not add to the pandemic by circulating unverified information. Be safe, take necessary precautions and also be responsible. Don't add to the panic. Last but not the least, try and make the most of the compulsory 'me' time!"
Kartik Aaryan shared a video from an outdoor set in Lucknow, where he can be seen walking in a mask along with other crew members. The actor captioned: "Stay safe guys. Can't stress this enough. #WashYourHands #CoronaStopKaroNa"
Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan expressed his thoughts on the outbreak with a self-composed poem about coronavirus. The actor took to Twitter to recite the short poem. In a video tweeted by Big B, he says in Hindi: "Over the past few days, people have been discussing a lot about coronavirus. People are suffering losses and everybody is scared and worried. This morning I had a feeling that I should also say something on the issue. So I have penned a few lines which I want to share with you all." Saying this he recites the poem.
Sharing a couple of pictures where he can be seen holding some documents, the actor wrote in a separate tweet: "T 3469 - Getting set to advocate the preventions necessary about CoVID 19, ... this is for UNICEF, and the Health Ministry of GOI.. the message should be out soon.. Be safe.. be careful."
Anupam Kher shared a video on Twitter and Instagram where he appeals to everyone to stop panicking and discover the joy of being alive.
(With IANS Inputs)