No PM Modi vs Lal Bahadur Shastri at box office

This Friday, two movies around politicians, PM Narendra Modi and The Tashkent Files, based on Lal Bahadur Shastri, were going to have a face off at the turnstiles. However, the Election Commission has now stalled the release of PM Narendra Modi, just a day before the elections. While Omung Kumar’s PM Narendra Modi is already embroiled in multiple controversies, The Tashkent Files directed by Vivek Agnihotri would prove to be no less contentious as it sheds light on Shastri’s mysterious death in Tashkent.

Trade experts feel that both the films could have had a reasonable chance at the box office.

But Atul Mohan disagrees, “I doubt either film will interest audiences… Too much of politics already everywhere— TV, radio, newspaper, social media, day-to-day conversation, etc. People are bored already and why would they torture themselves further and that too after paying? Just hope that I am proved wrong and both films work.”

Trade analyst Girish feels that one film has an edge above the other. “If the Modi biopic releases then the chances of the Vivek Oberoi starrer will definitely have a much higher chance to surge ahead. PM Modi film is planned as a wide mass entertainer release while The Tashkent Files is a niche, limited and urban release only. The promotions of the Modi biopic are much stronger and wider as well. It is going to find much more patronage not only from the mass Modi bhakts but also from film going audiences as well.”

Amod Mehra feels otherwise. “I feel the Shastri story will be of more interest as everyone wants to know the truth about his death.”