Round 1 for BLUE; advance booking on

The battle has begun even as the day for the full-on war is still a little far away.

This Diwali is expected to be the brightest of all with a record opening weekend of all times expected over 16th, 17th and 18th October. The three films in the running are BLUE, ALL THE BEST and MAIN AURR MRS. KHANNA and by the look of things, the sum total of collections from all three films would be the highest ever box office haul ever. All three movies are bona fide A grade projects, boast of top actors and are covering a great distance when it comes to the promotion.

However, as of now, BLUE has a clear edge. The film is seeing an unprecedented excitement being built up around it. To add to it, advance booking has already opened at numerous leading multiplexes, even though the film is more than 10 days away.

Normally the advance booking for a regular film opens two days before the release. When there is a big film, there are also instances of advance around 5 days before the release. However, a 10 days open window means that BLUE can expect some good harvest coming its way even before the first show commences. Also, it shows the confidence of multiplexes that are out with details around the timings of a good number of shows before the final permutations and combinations are done for the other two Diwali biggies - ALL THE BEST and MAIN AURR MRS. KHANNA.

Now it has to be seen if ALL THE BEST and MAIN AURR MRS. KHANNA also follow suit and have plans in place for their advance booking well before 14th October. One hopes it actually happens because otherwise, it could well be a one sided war on the D-Day!