Filmmakers offer an interesting palette of films during IPL

Filmmakers have put up a brave act this year by lining up films for release during IPL.

Mumbai: Bollywood filmmakers have put up a brave act this year by lining up a string of big and small budget films for release in the next two months even as the cricket fever kicks off from April 4, with IPL season 5.

This year, films which will face the IPL, mainly include Sajid Khan`s multi starrer comic caper, `Housefull 2` (April 6), actor John Abraham`s maiden home production `Vicky Donor` (April 20), Viacom 18 Motion Pictures` `Bittoo Boss` (April 20) and Vidhu Vinod Chopra`s `Ferrai Ki Sawari` (April 27). On the risk of releasing a film during IPL, Sajid Khan told PTI, "Its OK to release a film during IPL..its a myth not to release a film during that time. IPL will also do well and even `Housefull 2` will be a superhit film." According to actor-turned-producer John Abraham, "the IPL opens very strong and dips in the middle after the first fortnight, and that is when we have decided to release the film. Because we know there is going to be a fatigue factor somewhere in the middle and we are going to cash in on that." "It is not a social film (Vicky Donor)..its a commercial one. The concept of sperm donation is first of its kind, we needed it to be treated with care. We know that our target audience is mainly colleges. We will market this film effectively," he said. Priyadarshan`s action-thriller `Tezz` (April 27), Emraan Hashmi-starrer `Jannat 2` (May 4), Karisma Kapoor`s comeback film `Dangerous Ishq` (May 11), Yash Raj Films `Ishaqzaade` (May 18) and Ram Gopal Varma`s `Department` (May 18) are other releases. "This time around we have a fantastic variety of films lined up for release during IPL. Its great that filmmakers are not afraid of IPL anymore. Usually it is vacation time, summer holidays..so everyone wants to relax.. have a good time, so what better than a good dose of entertainment through movies," Trade Analyst Taran Adarsh told PTI. "This is a great trend as a mix of both big and small films are releasing during this time. Films should release whether IPL or no IPL," he said. Now its wait and watch on who scores high on audience attention -- cricket or films. PTI