Bollywood fans eagerly awaiting the release of Alia Bhatt's ambitious project, Alpha, might have to exercise a bit more patience. The film's theatrical debut is reportedly facing a fresh postponement, marking another shift in its release calendar.
Another Delay for Alpha: A Strategic Move?
The film, which has previously been delayed to allow for extensive quality VFX work, is now likely to be pushed further. According to industry reports, this new delay is a strategic decision to avoid a potential box office clash with a major release starring Salman Khan.
Alpha was initially slated for release on April 17, a date considered a prime slot in the industry's calendar. However, it appears that Salman Khan's upcoming film, the much-talked-about Battle of Galwan, is also eyeing the same window. While the makers of Battle of Galwan have not officially locked a date, speculation is rife that they are targeting a release around April 17, 2026.
YRF Steps Aside for Salman Khan
A report from Bollywood Hungama suggests that the production house behind Alpha, Yash Raj Films (YRF), has decided to vacate the coveted April 17 date. The portal quoted a source stating that Aditya Chopra of YRF, upon learning about the potential clash with Salman Khan's film, immediately chose to step aside.
The source explained, "YRF announced April 17th as a placeholder date earlier because it's a very good release window. Now, Aditya Chopra has learnt that Salman's Battle of Galwan was eyeing the same release window. The two go back a long way and he immediately decided that he would leave April 17th for Salman."
This move underscores the long-standing professional and personal rapport between the two powerful entities in Bollywood. It is a strategic decision often made in the industry to prevent big-budget films from cannibalizing each other's audience and box office collections.
What's Next for Alpha and Battle of Galwan?
The report further indicated that YRF is expected to announce a new release date for Alpha soon. The studio is likely assessing the film release calendar for the coming months to find another suitable slot for Alia Bhatt's film. On the other hand, an official announcement from the team of Salman Khan's Battle of Galwan is still awaited, which will confirm if April 17 is indeed their final choice.
This development has created a buzz among cinephiles, highlighting the careful planning and high-stakes negotiations that go behind finalizing release dates for major Bollywood productions. While fans of Alia Bhatt may be disappointed by the wait, the deferral is seen as a calculated move to ensure both films get an unimpeded run at the ticket counters.
