Band Baaja Baaraat pitted against No Problem

This week's release No Problem could be a big problem for the other release Band Baaja Baaraat. By now, it's increasingly evident that two films particularly if they belong to the same genre do not stand a chance of achieving a double success at the box office.

For Diwali this year, we had two comedies Golmaal 3 and Action Replayy on display. One of them had to, and did, tank.

It therefore comes as no surprise to know that the next battle of the comedies between Yash Raj Films' Band Baaja Baaraat featuring Anushka Sharma with newbie Ranvir Singh and Anees Bazmee's star-studded comedy No Problem just might be stymied before it's too late.

Yash Raj, however are unwilling to budge. They consider the second week of December lucky for their films. Anees Bazmee on the other hand, doesn't believe in luck.

Says the hyper-active director (currently working round-the-clock shooting his film Ready in the daytime and editing No Problem in the night), "I don't believe in lucky dates. But I do believe in commitments. We had decided to release No Problem on 10 December long ago. I have three releases next year (Thank You, It's My Life and Ready). So, I needed to get No Problem out of the way this year. We worked at breakneck speed to finish No Problem and announced our release date months ago. It was only later that I heard Band Baaja Baaraat is coming on the same date."

Anees admits he isn't happy with the clash. "It's never advisable to bring two big films on the same day. If anyone, then they should move because we locked in the date first. But I think Yash Raj is superstitious about the second week of December because their Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi released during the same week in 2008 (with the same heroine) and was a hit."

Anees says he's beyond luck factors. "When my producer Vipul Shah decided to add an extra n in 'king' for Singh Is Kinng I told him please add one more 'n' if it helps the box-office. It's the product that matters. I know we've made a fabulously funny film in No Problem. I am sure Band Baaja Baaraat is also a terrific film. If a clash is not avoidable then I'll pray for both films."

Will Yash Raj blink first? When contacted, Yash Raj's official spokesperson said, "No, there is no postponement. Band Baaja Baaraat is coming with all the baaraati's (sic.) on 10th Dec 2010. I am sure there is space for both of us."