Rs 8 bn at stake as three blockbuster films jostle during festive season

With Diwali and Christmas occurring within a month and a half of each other, the Indian box office will see releases from two Khans and Rajnikanth in a span of eight weeks

The Indian film industry has close to Rs 8 billion riding on three film releases in November and December this year. While festive season weekends have always attracted releases from the big guns of Bollywood and regional cinema, this year, the stakes are much higher.

This year’s Diwali release – Yash Raj Films’ Thugs of Hindostan – is touted to be the most expensive Bollywood film ever with an estimated budget of Rs 2 billion. Releasing on November 8, the film boasts of a stellar star-cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif. The action adventure saga, set during the