Katrina Kaif & Vijay Sethupathi’s Merry Christmas pushed to January 2024?
The highly anticipated Bollywood film “Merry Christmas,” featuring the dynamic duo of Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi, has faced a release date setback. Originally slated for a Christmas 2023 release, the film’s launch has been postponed to January 2024. The decision has been attributed to the actors’ busy schedules, with back-to-back movie releases creating logistical challenges for the production team.
Directed by Sriram Raghavan, renowned for his directorial brilliance in “Andhadhun,” the release of “Merry Christmas” has experienced multiple postponements. In a collective statement, the Merry Christmas team conveyed their profound affection for the film and their steadfast dedication to delivering an extraordinary cinematic experience. The statement says- “We have made this film with a lot of love & passion like every filmmaker does however with the back-to-back movie releases and packed last two months of 2023, we have taken the decision to extend the season of joy and bring our film to the theatres on 12th January 2024” (as noted here).
The film is now scheduled to hit theaters on January 12 next year. Despite its title suggesting a Christmas release, the decision to postpone was made to avoid potential clashes with other film releases during the festive season. Alongside the announcement of the release date, a new poster was unveiled, showcasing Katrina Kaif seated in a restaurant, with Vijay Sethupathi discreetly observing her from a nearby table.
“Merry Christmas” generated immense excitement among fans due to its star-studded cast, promising storyline, and the potential for a perfect festive season release. The film was set to bring together the talents of Bollywood diva Katrina Kaif and the versatile South Indian actor Vijay Sethupathi, creating an intriguing cross-cultural cinematic experience. Sources close to the production team revealed that both Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi are currently immersed in multiple film projects, leaving little room for the promotion and release of “Merry Christmas” during the busy holiday season. With back-to-back commitments and promotional activities for other films, the decision to reschedule the release was deemed necessary to ensure that the film received the attention and audience it deserved. Industry insiders have weighed in on the rescheduling decision, emphasizing the challenges faced by actors who are committed to multiple projects simultaneously. The trend of actors working on multiple films concurrently has become increasingly common in the dynamic landscape of the Indian film industry, often leading to scheduling conflicts and the need for strategic adjustments in release dates.
The producers of “Merry Christmas” have issued a statement expressing their understanding of the situation and assuring fans that the delay is a tactical move to ensure the film’s success. They highlighted the importance of a well-thought-out release strategy and acknowledged the enthusiasm of the audience, promising that the extra wait would be worth it.
Actress ‘Radhika Apte’ also played a major role in the movie. She wrote along with it on Instagram, “The wait is almost over! Merry Christmas is making your winter merrier on January 12, 2024.” Katrina Kaif took to her Instagram Stories to share yet another intriguing poster, featuring Vijay Sethupathi deeply immersed in thought, surrounded by three portraits of Katrina strategically placed on the wall behind him.
Published by HOLR Magazine.