Mirzapur The Movie vs Hanuman Ansh: Show-Sharing Tussle Delays Bookings at Mumbai Single-Screens
Mumbai single-screens delay Mirzapur The Movie bookings as distributors clash over show-sharing with Hanuman Ansh, complicated by runtime differences.
With less than 24 hours to go for the release of Mirzapur The Movie, several single-screen cinemas in Mumbai have still not opened advance bookings. Trade sources attribute the delay to a show-sharing dispute between the crime drama and the ongoing blockbuster Hanuman Ansh.
Hanuman Ansh continues its remarkable box-office run, buoyed by a discounted Tuesday that appears to have boosted its momentum. Unlike typical films that see a sharp drop after such offers, Hanuman Ansh reportedly collected more on Wednesday than on Monday, prompting its distributors to insist on retaining a few shows at single-screens through the coming weekend.
Meanwhile, distributors of Mirzapur The Movie are pushing for all shows, citing strong advance demand and the film's potential in single-screen markets. The situation is complicated by runtime: Mirzapur The Movie runs over three hours, while Hanuman Ansh is two hours and 30 minutes, making it difficult to accommodate both with adequate show counts.
As of 10:00 am on September 3, advance booking had not opened at venues including INOX Dadar, Star City, Plaza, Chitra, Regal, Gold Thane, MovieTime Suburbia, Mukta Santacruz, Kasturba, Gold Cinema Borivali, MovieTime Dahisar, Bharatmata, PVR Le Reve, and New Excelsior. Only three Mumbai cinemas—MovieMax Andheri East, Anand Cinema Thane, and Maratha Mandir—had opened bookings for the release day. The first two will screen Mirzapur The Movie in all shows, while Maratha Mandir will show it in three slots, retaining its matinee for Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Gold Cinema Santacruz, meanwhile, is only selling tickets for the evening show of the Gujarati film Tom & Cherry.
The issue extends to smaller multiplexes as well. Advance booking for Hanuman Ansh has not started at venues like MovieTime Cubic Mall, Mukta A2 Cinemas JaiHind Lalbaug, Miraj Mulund, PVR Oeeon Ghatkopar, BMX Kharghar, Devgn Cinex Mulund, PVR Milap, MovieTime Malad, and Topiwala, where plans are currently focused on Mirzapur The Movie.
Trade sources remain optimistic, noting that such clashes are common and likely to resolve within hours. They expect both films to draw healthy audiences into cinemas.