Shocking! Karan Johar Prepones Yodha To Dec 8 Hours After Katrina's Merry Christmas Avoided Clash

Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi’s Merry Christmas, which was all set to release on December 15, will now be releasing a week early. The makers have narrowed down on a new release date, as previously it was clashing with Sidharth Malhotra’s actioner Yodha. Now, Merry Christmas will be releasing on December 8, according to film trade expert Taran Adarsh, who shared the update on his official X account. Soon after this post, Karan Johar announced on his Instagram account that Yodha has been preponed to December 8 too, leading to the box office clash between the two big releases again.

However, this leaves a little room for Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal to establish and gather momentum at the box office, as the film will be hitting the theatres on December 1.

Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the news on his X handle. Taking to the microblogging site, he wrote, “KATRINA KAIF – VIJAY SETHUPATHI: ‘MERRY CHRISTMAS’ TO ARRIVE ONE WEEK EARLY… 8 Dec 2023 is the new release date of #MerryChristmas, which teams #KatrinaKaif and #VijaySethupathi for the first time. #MerryChristmas – directed by #SriramRaghavan – is shot in two languages [#Hindi and #Tamil] with different supporting actors. Produced by #RameshTaurani, #JayaTaurani, #SanjayRoutray and #KewalGarg. #TipsFilms #MatchboxPictures.”

Minutes after his post, Karan Johar shared the new release date of Yodha. Taking to his Instagram handle, he wrote, We are all set to land in cinemas on 8th December, 2023!!!!!!”

Earlier this year, Karan Johar seemed upset with Katrina Kaif-Vijay Sethupathi starrer Merry Christmas clashing with Sidharth Malhotra’s Yodha. He penned a cryptic note expressing his displeasure of films announcing a clashing release date without informing in advance. The note came just hours after it was announced that Merry Christmas would release on December 15.

“Clashing on a date without the courtesy of a phone call is hopefully not the way forward for the studios and producers… If we don’t stand united in these tough and challenging theatrical days then calling us a fraternity is futile,” Karan Johar wrote.

Notably, Merry Christmas is shot in two languages, with different supporting actors. The Hindi version co-stars Sanjay Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Pratima Kannan, and Tinnu Anand, while the Tamil version has Radhika Sarathkumar, Shanmugaraja, Kevin Jay Babu, and Rajesh Williams in the same roles.

Coming to Yodha, the film stars Sidharth Malhotra, Disha Patani and Raashii Khanna in lead roles. The film is touted to be one of a kind action entertainer. Animal, on the other hand, stars Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol. Animal marks Ranbir’s second release of the year, after Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, and Sandeep’s second Bollywood film after Kabir Singh.