Is Wednesday the new Friday in Bollywood?

Even though Friday fever continues to rule Bollywood, two much awaited releases this year - `Ek Tha Tiger` and Anurag Kashyap`s `Gangs of Wasseypur 2` are set to hit the screens on a Wednesday.

Mumbai: Even though Friday fever continues to rule Bollywood, two much awaited releases this year - Salman Khan`s `Ek Tha Tiger` and Anurag Kashyap`s `Gangs of Wasseypur` are set to hit the screens on a Wednesday.

While the second part of `Gangs of Wasseypur` releases on August 8, the Salman-Katrina Kaif starrer will open on August 15 - both Wednesdays. Kashyap`s ambitious project releases exactly one week before the Yash Raj film, apparently in a bid to capitalise on the Janmashtami holiday occurring on Friday, and concurrently the weekend. "In case of `Ek Tha Tiger`, August 15 being Independence day is a national holiday and with Salman at the helm, the returns will be surely high, considering the long weekend. But in case of `Gangs of Wasseypur 2` it is like a case study," said Trade analyst Taran Adarsh . The romantic thriller directed by Kabir Khan sees Salman playing a RAW agent. While `Gangs of Wasseypur 2` is an extension of part one of the same name, which released on June 22 to much critical acclaim and proved to be a box office bonanza. The second part will have Faisal Khan - played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, taking revenge of his father Sardar Khan (Manoj Bajpai) and grandfather - Shahid Khan`s (Jaideep Ahlawat) death, against Ramadhir Singh (Tigmanshu Dhulia). "I think both `Ek Tha Tiger` and `Gangs of Wasseypur 2` have good prospects. `ETT` will definitely do humongous business due to Salman and the five day long weekend is a bonus. Even GoW-2 does have a good chance at box office as the first part was success," said Girish Wankhede, spokesperson for Cinemax India. "In case of GOW-2 the makers have shown confidence in their product by releasing it on Wednesday. Its a five day long weekend for both the films, so instead of a usual business of Rs 40-50 crore on three day weekend, the collection goes above 70-80 crore for five-day collection," he said. Last year saw Salman`s `Bodyguard` (August 31) and Shah Rukh Khan`s `Ra.One` (October 26) releasing on Wednesdays. Both got a good opening during the five day long weekend. PTI