Pad Man release pushed; Padmaavat only Hindi film to hit screens on January 25

It was set to be the first major box-office clash of the year on January 25, but in the interest of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial drama Padmaavat - set to hit the screens after a lengthy row - actor Akshay Kumar on Friday announced that he is shifting the release of his Pad Man to February 9.

"Bhansali sir asked me if I can move my film... See, we are one family and I can understand he has gone through a lot, he has put a lot of money, the studio people have put a lot of money. I want Padmaavat to release solo and would like to wish him luck," Akshay said.

He addressed a joint press conference with Bhansali at his residence.

Bhansali, who has co-produced Padmaavat with Viacom18 Motion Pictures, said he was grateful to Akshay for the gesture. "I requested Akshay to shift his film's release date because he is such a big star and our troubles might have increased if we would have released the film together. He didn't even take two minutes and said, 'Whatever you want, however you want, I am with you'," Bhansali said, adding that he will be grateful to Akshay for a "lifetime".

Asked why Pad Man had to shift and not Padmaavat, Akshay said: "They have a reason to release it this time. It is very essential for them to release it as quickly as possible. The point is not about fighting or clashing... But at the moment, the stakes of their film are much higher than mine."

Akshay's Pad Man -which marks his wife Twinke Khanna's maiden production venture - tells the story of a real-life superhero who invented a low-cost sanitary pad the manufacturing machine to bring a menstrual hygiene revolution for women.

Its unique story, inspiring message and Akshay's portrayal -- once again -- as a common man's hero, has kept the anticipation level high for the R Balki directorial, which also features Sonam Kapoor and Radhika Apte.

Earlier, Pad Man was slated to clash with Aiyaary. But after the makers of Padmaavat secured a U/A certificate from the censor board and locked the release date as January 25 -- tapping into the long Republic Day weekend -- the makers of Aiyaary shifted the film's release date to February 9. Even Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety is scheduled for a February 9 release date.

It has been a long journey for Padmaavat, which stars Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor. From being assaulted on the film's set in Jaipur to his set being vandalized in Kolhapur to getting threats from detractors, Bhansali has been facing the ire of organisations that are up in arms against the period drama since its inception -- from when it was titled Padmavati.

Months after facing opposition, the makers, Bhansali Productions and Viacom18 Motion Pictures, clarified that the film is based on 16th century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's epic poem Padmaavat, and does not distort historical facts -- as was being alleged by some Rajput outfits.

"It is an ode to the famed valour, legacy and courage of Rajputs," the makers have maintained.

However, its detractors have been persistent in their protests against the film and in their demand for stopping its release.

But the makers heaved a sigh of relief when the Supreme Court on Thursday paved the way for an all-India release for the film, saying it was incumbent upon the state governments to ensure maintenance of law and order.