Bollywood is heating up with tension, negotiations, and strategic maneuvers as two high-profile films prepare for release on the very same day: October 2, 2025. One is the family-romantic entertainer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor. The other is Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, the much-anticipated prequel from Rishab Shetty’s Kantara universe. With overlapping release dates, both teams are already battling behind the scenes over how many shows each film will get in theatres.
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| Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari vs Kantara: Makers of Varun Dhawan-starrer ask for 50% showcasing in 2-screen theatres, 33% showcasing in 3-screen multiplexes, 25% showcasing in 4-screen theatres |
This is far from just a box office clash — it’s a strategic war over theater screens, show quotas, and visibility.
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari — The Dharma Demand
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is set to release on October 2, 2025 under Dharma Productions. The film is directed by Shashank Khaitan and features Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, and Rohit Saraf in key roles. India Today+3Wikipedia+3Bollywood Hungama+3
According to trade insiders, Dharma has already sent its showcase demands to exhibitors:
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In 2-screen cinemas, they want 1 auditorium (audi) dedicated all day — effectively 50% showcasing
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In 3-screen multiplexes, they demand 1 screen full-day (~33%)
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In 4-screen theatres, they also ask for 1 screen (~25%)
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In 5-or-more screen multiplexes, they request at least 2 screens
Insiders describe this request as “reasonable” — a realistic push to ensure the movie gets fair space despite Prime competition from Kantara.
Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 CBFC Report | Hindi Advance Booking Starts Sept 26 Evening
Kantara’s Aggressive Counter
On the opposite side, the distributors of Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 — AA Films — have put forward highly aggressive demands. Reports suggest:
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100% showing in single-screen, 2-screen, and 3-screen multiplexes
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In multiplexes with higher screens, they have specified number of shows per screen. For example:
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4-screen theatres: demand ~21 shows
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5-screen: ~27 shows
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6-screen: ~30 shows
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7-screen: ~36 shows
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8-screen: ~42 shows
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9-screen: ~48 shows
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10-screen multiplexes: up to ~54 shows
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This push, if enforced, would heavily favor Kantara, leaving minimal room for Tulsi Kumari.
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| Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari |
A trade expert warned:
“With Kantara’s runtime (2h 48min + interval), each show slot is about 3h 10min. That limits each screen to max 5 shows per day in many cases. If AA’s demands are honored, only Kantara will fill those screens — Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari would struggle to find even a couple of slots.”
Industry Reaction & Stakes
Industry insiders view Dharma’s request as balanced and fair — acknowledging Kantara as a stronger, more expensive film — but still demanding visibility for their project.
However, many exhibitors are uneasy. A source said that while Kantara is a big film, Tulsi Kumari will cater to a different audience (romantic, family, festive crowd). The exhibitors argue for a compromise.
Moreover, the negotiation window remains open. Most industry watchers believe final agreements will settle by October 1, just one day before release.
Bonus Context & Film Details
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Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari carries a runtime around 134 minutes and has been certified U/A by the CBFC. The Times of India
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One of its songs, Perfect (by Guru Randhawa), has already created a buzz, adding promotional momentum. Khaleej Times
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Kantara: Chapter 1 is slated for release on the same day (October 2, 2025) in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam. Wikipedia
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The original Kantara movie has a cult following, and its expansion into Chapter 1 has heightened expectations and stakes. Wikipedia
Why This Clash Matters
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Screen Scarcity in Multiplexes: Popular films often fight for screen space — this is a textbook clash.
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Audience Overlap vs Genre Difference: While Kantara leans into mythological and action themes, Tulsi Kumari appears to be a romantic/family entertainer. Dharma is betting that family audiences will still find space.
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Promotional Leverage: Whichever film secures more visibility in theatres has a head start in word-of-mouth and box office momentum.
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Precedent in Bollywood Releases: High-profile simultaneous releases often spawn such battles — from Don vs Main Hoon Na to franchise wars.
The Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari vs Kantara: Chapter 1 showdown is more than just a competition — it’s a test of strategy, leverage, and negotiation. With Tulsi Kumari demanding fair share and Kantara pushing an aggressive screen monopoly, the final showcase plan will likely shape first-weekend business.
As fans and trade wait with bated breath, one thing’s clear: October 2 is going to be a high-voltage box office war worth watching.
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