Uunchai Starring Amitabh Bachchan to Release In Less Than 500 Screens; Multiplexes to Play Shows Only After 11 AM

It now looks that the makers of Amitabh Bachchan starrer Uunchai has undergone some changes in the release of the film. As per the latest update, the film is now expected to release up to a maximum of 475 screens across the country.

The only thing that looks weird is that it is quite a small number of screens for an average budget film along with some top Bollywood actors.

According to the instructions given to theatre owners, the film has to commence only after 11 AM. Also, multiplexes have been asked to play up to 4 shows in a day. All other theatres with less than 5 screens are told to run 2 or 3 shows a day.

On the other hand the last solo film starring Amitabh Bachchan titled Jhund (2022) was released in around 1200 screens. Some other films like Chehre (2021) was also made to release at a time when there was a restriction to run films in theatres.

This is what a source close to the industry said, “Several exhibitors are stunned by this request. We don’t remember the last time such a big film was released with such limited shows. Some multiplexes in fact wanted to play more shows but they were told not to do so.”

When it was asked to supply the reason, this is what the source replied, “Perhaps, the makers are following the old Rajshri model of release. They famously released their biggest blockbuster, Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), in very limited screens in week 1. And as the word spread and demand increased, the number of prints also increased. They are hoping that Uunchai can also go the same way. If the word of mouth is positive and demand increases, the shows will increase in the days to come, like it recently happened in the case of films like Karthikeya 2 and Kantara. Also, with such a tight release, there’s no possibility of shows getting cancelled due to the zero audience.”

Uunchai is directed by Sooraj Barjatya and stars Sarika, Neena Gupta, Danny Denzongpa, Boman Irani, Anupam Kher, Parineeti Chopra, and Amitabh Bachchan in their respective pivotal roles. It will release on November 11, 2022.