Murtuza Iqbal
A few weeks ago, it was announced that Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan starrer Coolie No.1 will be getting a direct-to-digital release on Amazon Prime Video. The movie is slated to release on Christmas this year.
However, now according to a report in Bollywood Hungama, the David Dhawan directorial might get a theatrical release as well. Reportedly, the single screen owners in India are keen to showcase the film in their theatres.
A source told the entertainment portal, “The single screen owners feel that there is no better film than a comedy like Coolie No. 1 to release in cinema halls and get the audiences back in big numbers. While the multiplex associations have put their foot down, the single screen associations are more than happy to screen the film at their property considering the fact that their audience does not have access to the OTT platforms. All the stakeholders – Amazon Prime, Vashu Bhagnani, and Dhawan’s – have shown keen interest in the idea of a hybrid release and are currently exploring the terms and conditions for the release. The final call will be taken by the end of this month.”
Theatres in India were shut for around seven months and even after the reopening, the response has not been great. So, releasing Coolie No. 1 in single screens can turn out to be a very good idea as it’s will release during Christmas, and David Dhawan’s movies are always family entertainers.
Ashwyn Singh on language, identity, and the comedy of belonging nowhere Instagram/ashwynsingh 
Ashwyn Singh turns immigrant life into laughs Instagram/ashwynsingh 
