Boney Kapoor upset with Maidaan vs RRR clash, calls SS Rajamouli's move unethical

SS Rajamouli's much-anticipated magnum opus, RRR, starring an ensemble cast headlined by actors like Ram Charan, NTR Rama Rao Jr, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Samuthirakani and Olivia Morris, announced its release date amid fan frenzy on social media. The ambitious project will hit cinemas on October 13, 2021.

On Monday, the film's lead star, Ram Charan, had taken to Twitter to share the news with his fans. The actor had written, "Fire and Water will come together to make an unstoppable FORCE as you've never witnessed! Get Ready to experience Indian Cinema in its finest avatar on October 13, 2021 (sic)." 

Fire 🔥 and Water 🌊 will come together to make an unstoppable FORCE as you've never witnessed!

Get Ready to experience Indian Cinema in its finest avatar on October 13, 2021 👊🏼#RRRFestivalOnOct13th #RRR #RRRMovie pic.twitter.com/7vSMf0bI5n

— Ram Charan (@AlwaysRamCharan) January 25, 2021

However, while the announcement left fans of SS Rajamouli elated and excited, producer Boney Kapoor wasn't too pleased. According to a report in the Times of India, Boney had booked the Dussehra weekend for his upcoming sports biopic, the Ajay Devgn-starrer Maidaan, which is based on the life of the legendary football coach, Syed Abdul Rahim. Boney Kapoor had announced October 15, 2021, as the theatrical release date for the sports drama, eyeing to cash in on the Dussehra weekend. 

‘Maidaan’ now releases worldwide in theatres on Dussehra 2021. Shoot commences January 2021.#Maidaan2021 #Priyamani @raogajraj @BoneyKapoor @iAmitRSharma @ItsAmitTrivedi @freshlimefilms @SaiwynQ @ActorRudranil @writish @saregamaglobal @ZeeStudios_ @ZeeStudiosInt pic.twitter.com/9KwxWP1vle

— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) December 12, 2020

Thanks to the record-breaking success of the Baahubali franchise, RRR, which has been mounted on a lavish budget, is one of the most-awaited movies of the year and is expected to further the grandeur and visuals of India's most successful film franchise. The period drama, which is tipped to be based on the lives of two freedom fighters, is slated to release in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam languages on October 13, 2021. 

On the other hand, Maidaan is a biopic that is being helmed by Amit Sharma of the Badhaai Ho fame. The film stars Ajay Devgn in the lead. However, what is interesting is the fact that Ajay Devgn will also be seen in a pivotal role in the SS Rajamouli's RRR. 

Boney Kapoor, calling SS Rajamouli's move "unethical", added that both Ajay Devgn and Amit Sharma were not too pleased with the release date announcement of RRR, which is why Ajay Devgn did not tweet about the same from his official Twitter handle. 

"Rajamouli has made a big name for himself after the two 'Baahubali' films he directed. In that context, I wonder why a Rajamouli film, after 'Baahubali: The Beginning' and 'Baahubali 2:The Conclusion' needs a holiday weekend," Boney Kapoor was quoted. 

When asked if Maidaan would shift from its original release date, Boney Kapoor asserted that the film's content would speak for itself.