Bollywood overrules IPL 3

March
While the month of March began with the release of Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?, Road, Movie, Rokkkk & Thanks Maa, the others that followed were Right Yaaa Wrong, Hide & Seek, Na Ghar Ke Na Ghat Ke, Do Dilon Ke Khel Mein, Swaha & Trump Card. Recent releases also included Shaapit, Love Sex Aur Dhokha, Lahore and Idiot Box. However, there hasn't been much respite, as far as release calendar is concerned with weeks to follow being quite jammed packed as well, next week seeing half a dozen releases - Hum Tum Aur Ghost, Well Done Abba, Mittal V/s Mittal, Prem Kaa Game, The Great Indian Butterfly and It's a Man's World.

April
With a stuffed March out of way, one would have expected that April would be lighter due to IPL getting into a further exciting stage. Well, the rush is lesser here but still seeing larger number of film releases than a regular month. 2nd April would mark the arrival of Sadiyaan, Tum Milo Toh Sahi and Pankh. The week to follow becomes even more challenging with Prince, Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai, Apartment and Maalik Ek fighting it out.

Says Milap Zaveri, the young man who makes his debut as a director with Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai, "I am confident of my film because it is the first of its kind love story between a boy from Earth (Riteish) and a girl from Venus (Jacqueline). There is loads of comedy, music and romance! Also 9th April is lucky for Riteish and me as our first huge hit Masti (which was written by Milap) had released on 9th April in 2004."

Tanushree Dutta, who is the leading lady in Apartment, is also extremely confident. "If a film is good then audience will certainly go to watch it in theatres. I am very positive about my film. In any case cricket and movies are two different things. Yes, in the past there have been instances when films haven't released during the cricket season but then that could be because they were not supposed to be released then. Those who love movies will go for them regardless of cricket or any other event."

This is the reason why the makers of Phoonk 2, Paathshaala and Muskurake Dekh Zara aren't overtly worried about arriving on 16th April. The week to follow though just has a single release, Bird Idol, which is an animation flick. However, once IPL is through, Bollywood is all set for a big weekend ahead with Housefull releasing on 30th April.

No wonder, trade is hopeful this time around. Says a trade follower, "Amongst three, four or five releases which are hitting the screens every week, there is at least one notable release which is expected to take in moolah. Now this is a far better situation than the one we evidenced last year when films of the likes of Meri Padosan, Detective Naani or Team - The Force were rejected at the title stage itself! Of course there are multiple releases all through the IPL as well which means it would be the survival of the fittest. Still, at least films are giving each other a chance."