Four Tollywood Biggies Battle For Screen Space This Durga Puja

Controversy continues to dog Tollywood, this time over the release of four much-awaited films that are set to clash during Durga Puja, the industry’s most lucrative season. Directors Nandita Roy-Shiboprosad Mukhopadhyay, Anik Dutta, Shubhrajit Mitra and Dhruva Banerjee have lined up their big-budget movies — Raktabeej 2, Joto Kando Kolkatatei, Debi Choudhurani, and Raghu Dakat. Despite a recent intervention by a state-appointed committee, industry insiders confirm that disputes have emerged over screen distribution and prime-time show slots. Speculation is rife that Dev’s Raghu Dakat, co-produced with SVF, has secured an edge in theatre count and timings. Writer Jinia Sen (Raktabeej 2) and producer Firdausal Hasan (Joto Kando Kolkatatei) admitted they had heard “market buzz” about Raghu Dakat cornering a good number of theatres. The speculation gained momentum when Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson and actor Kunal Ghosh publicly questioned why an “influential” film had been given extra slots. Though he did not name anyone, many in the industry viewed it as an indirect swipe at actor-MP Dev, his party colleague with whom he has sparred earlier on social media. Dev’s recent release Dhumketu’s co-producer Rana Sarkar hinted at a deeper game. Exhibitors Naveen Chokhani and Jaydeep Mukhopadhyay, along with distributor Shatadip Saha, dismissed claims of preferential treatment for Raghu Dakat, saying no final decisions had been made. Still, several single-screen owners admitted the real pressure would fall on them, as unequal slot allocation during Puja season often sparks discontent. Ghosh also added a political edge, claiming Raghu Dakat owed thanks to TMC for the backing Dev reportedly received from local leaders during district promotions.