'Billo Barber' pushed back to February 2009

Shah Rukh Khan’s home production Billo Barber, which was locked in for a Diwali release, this year, has now been pushed back to February 2009.

It is believed that Shah Rukh has delayed his film to give breathing space to his two friends Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra. While Karan’s Dostana stars Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham, Aditya’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi has SRK himself in the lead.

Since he already has a big release this year-end, it made sense not to compete against his own film. King Khan didn’t want two big releases back to back in a span of two months. Says an insider, “Shah Rukh wants to spread his releases out. Since a lot of films are being pushed forward and backward around Diwali time, he decided not to have Billo Barber clashing with any biggies.” Irrfan Khan plays the protagonist in SRK’s home production, while Khan is playing himself.

It is believed that there are also other reasons for delaying the film. Kuselan (the Tamil version of Billo Barber, satrring Rajikanth) hasn’t done as well at the box office, as expected. A source reveals, “Priyadarshan has watched the audience reaction to Kuselan and has decided to make a few changes. The climax of both the films is the same. Also Kuselan was criticised for being too long, so he’s now fine-tuning the film.”

It is learnt that Subhash Ghai didnt want an SRK-Salman clash at the box-office. Sources reveal the director personally called up Shah Rukh to check when Billo Barber is releasing. Ghai’s Yuvvraj starring Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor and Katrina Kaif releases November 21. However, Ghai was relieved when he found out that Billo Barber has been pushed back to Feb 2009.