Last‑minute booking hiccup ahead of Prabhas’ release
The Prabhas‑starrer hits theatres tomorrow, January 9, but advance ticketing is not fully live across the Hindi belt. While single‑screen cinemas and smaller chains have already opened sales, many national chains — including Miraj and Maxus — are yet to put up shows. With less than a day to go, trade sources say ongoing negotiations are the reason for the delay.
Why national chains are holding back
Distributors AA Films have reportedly asked national chains to promise a significant number of shows for Yash’s Toxic as part of the deal to play the Prabhas film. The theatres are hesitating. Their concern: Toxic is slated to clash with Dhurandhar 2 on March 19, and the Dhurandhar franchise has been a major moneymaker for multiplexes — the first part is still running strong in many centres.
Theatre owners acknowledge Toxic’s potential after its teaser released, but they don’t want to risk short‑changing Dhurandhar 2 or upsetting existing release plans. That standstill is what has kept bookings from going live in several big chains.
Where things stand commercially
- Smaller chains and single screens: bookings open and selling.
- National chains, Miraj, Maxus: negotiations ongoing; bookings not yet started.
- Distributors (AA Films): pressing for show commitments for Toxic as a condition.
Hyderabad price row resolved by the High Court
In Hyderabad the delay had a different cause. Makers and the Telangana government disagreed over a proposal to raise ticket prices for the film. On January 8, a day before release, the Telangana High Court gave relief to the producers. Sources in the South say a government order confirming the court decision is expected by Thursday evening, after which ticketing in Hyderabad should begin.
Paid previews already creating buzz
Paid previews for the film began on January 8 from 9:00 pm and are reported to be filling up fast across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — Hyderabad being the only notable exception so far. Advance sales in these centres were described as selling “like hot cakes” for tomorrow’s shows, signalling strong audience interest in the Telugu original.
That early momentum suggests Hyderabad audiences will likely follow suit once booking formally opens there, giving The RajaSaab a potentially thunderous opening in its home market.
What to expect next
Trade sources expect the stalemate to be resolved by Thursday evening at the latest and for full advance bookings to go live shortly after. Both distributors and exhibitors ultimately stand to lose if sales are held off until the last minute, so a quick settlement is in everyone’s interest.
With previews selling briskly in the South and pending negotiations likely to conclude soon, the next 24 hours will decide the film’s opening pattern in the Hindi belt and key metro centres. For now, fans can still catch early shows in many regions — and many more bookings should follow very soon.