Thamma vs Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat: Screen-Sharing Battle Heats Up; Thamma Makers Demand Exclusive Shows in Single and Two-Screen Cinemas

Ziya Khan 3 weeks agoLast Updated: October 16, 2025

The much-anticipated Diwali releases Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat are just days away, and the excitement among the trade, industry, and audiences is palpable. As is typical with major festive clashes, the fight for screens has already intensified. Bollywood Hungama has learned that the first round of tussles between the distributors of both films has begun.

A trade source revealed, “Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, is being distributed by PVR Inox Pictures. Its Mumbai circuit distributor-partner, August Entertainment, has sent out a mail to cinemas outlining their screen-sharing demands. They are requesting all shows in single-screen cinemas and two-screen theatres.

Also, they want 12 shows in three-screen multiplexes — which translates to 100% showcasing on two screens and one or two shows on the third. ”The mail from August Entertainment further details show demands for larger multiplexes: 15 shows in four-screen theatres, 18 in five-screen cinemas, 21 in six-screen multiplexes, 24 in seven-screen venues, 27 in eight-screen theatres, 30 in nine-screen complexes, and 33 shows in multiplexes with 10 screens.

It’s important to note that these demands originate from August Entertainment for the Mumbai circuit. Whether distributors in other regions will adopt similar strategies remains uncertain.Exhibitors have expressed concerns over these demands. One exhibitor shared, “While we’re eager to screen Thamma given its potential, single-screen cinemas should also get a chance to showcase Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat.

In fact, single screens could be a stronghold for the Harshvardhan Rane film. Plus, Marathi film Premachi Goshta 2 and Gujarati film Chaniya Toli are also releasing this Diwali, and some cinemas will want to accommodate those as well. We hope an amicable solution can be reached.”Another exhibitor noted, “August Entertainment’s mail specifies that these rules apply only to non-PVR, non-Inox, and non-Cinepolis cinemas.

We believe this creates an uneven playing field and the terms should be uniform across all theatres.”A trade expert added, “Just weeks ago, during the Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 vs Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari clash, the makers of Kantara demanded 100% shows in single, two, and three-screen cinemas, and 80-90% in multiplexes with four or more screens. Compared to that, the distributors of Thamma seem more reasonable in their requests.”