Pad Man avoids clash with Padmaavat; to now release on 9th Feb

The first mega clash of 2018 has been averted as superstar Akshay Kumar has decided to postpone his film Pad Man to 9th February in order to provide a clear window to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus, Padmaavat. Earlier, both films were scheduled to hit screens on 25th January.

The National Award winning actor took this decision after acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali met him during rehearsals of an upcoming award function and requested to not release his film on 25th January.

“Sanjay Leela Bhansali came to meet me while I was rehearsing for a show and requested me to push Pad Man’s release. I have worked in two films with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Very difficult to not help when someone like him says he needs it,” Akshay said at a press conference in Mumbai.

Padmaavat, which was originally slated to release on 1st December, faced a series of troubles before locking 25th January as its new release. Akshay understood this and deferred his film to 9th February.

"He has gone through a lot. It is essential for them to release the film at this time, their stakes are higher than mine," Akshay added.

Thanking Akshay Kumar for his great gesture, Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, "I will be grateful to him for a lifetime. This is how we stand with each other."

Pad Man will now clash with Neeraj Pandey's Aiyaary, which stars Sidharth Malhotra and Manoj Bajpayee in lead roles.