Antim: Mahesh Manjrekar eyes Diwali for big screen release; Says ‘I will stage a dharna if theatres are not opened soon’

Back in May this year, viral reports suggested that Mahesh Manjrekar’s directorial Antim: The Final Truth might see a pay-per-view digital release alongside cinema halls, just like Radhe which also had a hybrid premiere. However, the Salman Khan and Aayush Sharma starrer is one of the most awaited films of the year and makers feel that only the silver screen can do true justice to the movie. Well, makers are now eyeing a Diwali release as they hope for theatres in Maharashtra to reopen soon.

In a chat with Mid Day, Manjrekar was quoted saying, “Antim is a film meant for the theatres. If cinemas open in Maharashtra by October — and it’s high time they did — we are planning to release Antim on Diwali. It is a film that [is targeted at the] Maharashtra territory.” The Dabangg star went on to add that the team is not thinking of releasing the film on OTT platforms right now. He explained that it represents middle-class and lower-middle class audiences, who make films super hits by going to theatres. So it is bound to do well. He stated, “I will stage a dharna if theatres are not opened soon.”

From a director’s point of view, Manjrekar told Salman not to act in the film, and asked him to just let go. He feels the superstar has actually become the character for the project and added that Aayush has also done an exceptional job. Well, we are sure fans are eagerly waiting to see the magic on-screen.