Odishatv Bureau
Mumbai: Even though Friday fever continues to rule Bollywood, two much awaited releases this year - Salman Khan`s `Ek Tha Tiger` and Anurag Kashyap`s `Gangs of Wasseypur` are set to hit the screens on a Wednesday.

While the second part of `Gangs of Wasseypur` releases on August 8, the Salman-Katrina Kaif starrer will open on August 15 - both Wednesdays.

Kashyap`s ambitious project releases exactly one week before the Yash Raj film, apparently in a bid to capitalise on the Janmashtami holiday occurring on Friday, and concurrently the weekend.

"In case of `Ek Tha Tiger`, August 15 being Independence day is a national holiday and with Salman at the helm, the returns will be surely high, considering the long weekend. But in case of `Gangs of Wasseypur 2` it is like a case study," Trade analyst Taran Adarsh told PTI.

The romantic thriller directed by Kabir Khan sees Salman playing a RAW agent who is sent to Pakistan to keep an eye on a college professor`s activities, who is suspected of selling missile technology secrets to Pakistan.

While `Gangs of Wasseypur 2` is an extension of part one of the same name, which released on June 22 to much critical acclaim and proved to be a box office bonanza.

The second part will have Faisal Khan - played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, taking revenge of his father Sardar Khan (Manoj Bajpai) and grandfather - Shahid Khan`s (Jaideep Ahlawat) death, against Ramadhir Singh (Tigmanshu Dhulia).

"I think both `Ek Tha Tiger` and `Gangs of Wasseypur 2` have good prospects. ETT will definitely do humongous business due to Salman and the five day long weekend is a bonus. Even GoW-2 does have a good chance at box office as the first part was success," said Girish Wankhede, spokesperson for Cinemax India.

"In case of GOW-2 the makers have shown confidence in their product by releasing it on Wednesday. Its a five day long weekend for both the films, so instead of a usual business of Rs 40-50 crore on three day weekend, the collection goes above 70-80 crore for five-day collection," he said.

Last year saw Salman`s `Bodyguard` (August 31) and Shah Rukh Khan`s `Ra.One` (October 26) releasing on Wednesdays. Both got a good opening during the five day long weekend.

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