Karan Johar hasn’t dictated the release date

Says Shobu Yarlagadda, one of the producers of the most anticipated release of the year, ‘Baahubali – The Beginning’. “He had no say on the release date. We had to postpone the release as there was a delay in the visual effects.”

Shobu Yarlagadda, one of the producers of SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus ‘Baahubali - The Beginning’, says that Karan Johar, who is on board as the presenter of the Hindi version, had no say regarding the release date of the film.

This comes in the wake of reports that the Bollywood big shot was instrumental in shifting the release date from May 15 to July. It is said that Johar, who acquired the Hindi rights and will be distributing the film along with his partner Anil Thadani (Raveenda Tandon’s husband) of AA films, wanted Rajamouli and co to do extensive promotions of the film before it opens in screens.

However, Shobu dismissed the reports when contacted on Friday noon. “He hasn’t dictated the release date. We had to postpone the release as we are not through with visual effects,” he said. Surprisingly, Karan Johar on Friday evening, unveiling a new poster of the film, announced the release date as July 10. Ideally, the original producers (and directors occasionally) declare the date.

In the case of ‘Baahubali’, Rajamouli had been announcing the release dates – until Friday. When quizzed whether the film’s principal cast and crew will indulge in promotions across the country since promotions play a key role in B-town, Shobu replied, “The entire cast and crew, as required, will promote the film.”

Shobu was also quick to react when asked whether Superstar Aamir Khan, who is an admirer of SS Rajamouli’s work, will extend his support to the film. “No, nothing on that lines is happening,” he said. Shobu added that his production house Arka Media Works will be monitoring the Hindi dubbing activities.

By Nagaraj Goud