Box office: Tenet, Mulan release dates pushed to August

Box office windows are likely to remain vacant for some more time even though cinema halls are gearing up to re-open while following government guidelines. There has been no update on the release of any Bollywood film, initially delayed due to the nationwide lockdown but what came as a lifeline for theatres, was that some Hollywood studios had given a release date for their films. 

Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, which was initially slated to arrive in theatres on 17 July, was postponed to 31 July and it has now been pushed to 12th August. There is a strong buzz around the film with Nolan’s name attached to it. Also, it stars Bollywood actor Dimple Kapadia in an important role. 

Warner has also delayed the re-release of Nolan’s sci-fi blockbuster Inception, in honour of its 10th anniversary, from 10 to 31 July. Disney has delayed the release of its action drama Mulan. The film, originally set to open on 27 March, was pushed to 24 July and is now slated for a 21 August release.

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It wasn’t clear whether these films would have released in India on the same date as worldwide, with theatres in the country yet to open. However, two big cinema chains – PVR and Carnival Cinemas had announced that they will be re-opening soon.

If the studios decide to release their films before theatres open in India, it can seriously dent their business. In 2019, Hollywood films had collected close to Rs 1,225 crore in the country, a major jump on Rs 900-950 crore earned in 2018. Marvel’s superhero flick Avengers: Endgame led the game, emerging as the highest Hollywood grosser of all time, at Rs 373.22 crore.

Kabir Singh’s 83 and Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi are among the big budget Bollywood films that too have been pushed back.