IMAX Showdown: Project Hail Mary Struggles for Screens Against Dhurandhar The Revenge
The highly anticipated Hollywood sci-fi epic, Project Hail Mary, is facing a significant hurdle in its Indian release. Despite being filmed specifically for the format, the movie has managed to secure slots in only 6 out of 34 IMAX screens across the country as of the morning of March 26.
The “Dhurandhar” Factor
The shortage is primarily due to the historic box-office performance of the local blockbuster, Dhurandhar The Revenge. Released on March 19, the film’s massive success has led its distributors to hold onto IMAX showcasing, refusing to yield slots to the new Hollywood arrival. Negotiations between Sony Pictures and theater chains reportedly stretched late into Wednesday night, resulting in a mere handful of confirmed shows.
Current Showcasing Status
Fans are expressing their frustration on social media, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region, where not a single IMAX screen has allotted a show to the film yet. Currently, only the following venues are screening Project Hail Mary:
- Mumbai/Navi Mumbai: Maison INOX BKC, Cinépolis Seawoods
- Pune: INOX Megaplex Wakad, Cinépolis Nexus
- Kolkata: INOX South City
- Coimbatore: Broadway Cinemas
Signs of Hope for the Weekend
Industry insiders suggest the situation remains fluid. Several major theaters in cities like Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Lucknow have kept afternoon and evening slots vacant, leading to speculation that they may soon open bookings for the Hollywood flick.
Sony Pictures is reportedly pushing hard to secure at least one daily show in every IMAX center nationwide. With strong advance booking numbers backing them, there is a high probability that showcasing will expand starting Friday, March 27. For now, moviegoers are advised to keep a close eye on booking apps for sudden schedule updates. Stay tuned to know more about it and others only with us and if you have anything to share do comment below and share your thoughts.
