Emraan Hashmi dares Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar with Shanghai

Now this is hardly a subtle announcement that an actor could ever boast of making. Emraan Hashmi, who has now emerged as industry’s much accepted blue eyed boy, is challenging none less than Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar and that too in their own territory. His Shanghai finally has a release plan in sight and it is now entering the battlefield which was otherwise left open for Talaash and Rowdy Rathore.

“Yes, Shanghai is now arriving in not just the same month (June) as Talaash and Rowdy Rathore but in the week which was left vacant in between the two biggies”, confirms a trade source, “No film was earlier daring to arrive anywhere in the vicinity of Talaash since it is Aamir’s first commercial film in two and half years. It was felt that the film deserved its space but guess Emraan is now all set to spoil the party as Talaash now gets only one open week for itself.”

Emraan’s confidence comes from the fact that last year when his Murder 2 had released, it had emerged as a super success despite other high profile films like Delhi Belly (again, an Aamir Khan production) and Double Dhamaal arriving in the same month. With Shanghai carrying wonderful reports, the makers are now confident that Emraan’s hit run would ensure a safe run and big returns.

“Having said that one can’t deny the fact that even Shanghai is taking a risk of sorts”, another industry veteran observes, “It may be willing to challenge Talaash but then Rowdy Rathore too is expected to arrive big. Akshay is banking very heavily on the film and once it releases, it would be quite a challenge for any other film to find much screen space.”

However those close to Emraan feel that it is a calculated risk. “His Jannat 2 should further up the stocks for him. He isn’t a pushover either and has a loyal audience for himself”, says a close associate, “Also let’s not forget that Shanghai also brings together the Oye Lucky Lucky Oye pairing of Abhay Deol and Dibakar Banerjee. Decision to come on 8th June has been well thought of.” Let’s see what Aamir and Akshay have to say about this.