Billoo Barber postponed to next year

Rattled by the bombing of Rajnikant starrer Kuselan, which has the same storyline, Shah Rukh has decided to tweak his film to ensure its success.

Both Billoo Barber and Kuselan are remakes of Malayalam superhit Katha Parayumbol.

Though a date had not been officially announced, Priyadarshan directed Billoo Barber was widely believed to be slotted for a Diwali week release; October 24 or 29.

Sources close to the project tell Sawf News that the film will now release either during the republic day weekend in January or in mid-February 2008.

An official from Red Chillies Entertainment, Shah Rukh’s production company that is producing Billoo Barber, told us, “The film is not complete yet, there are two more songs remaining to be canned and a big marketing drive is being planned. With all this remaining how can the film release in just over a month’s time from now? We are looking forward to early 2009 release.”

While the official denied Kuselan’s bombing had anything to do with the postponement, our sources tell us both Shah Rukh and Priyadarshan mutually decided to re-shoot certain portions of their film after watching reactions to Kuselan.

“Even the running time of the film would be kept in check, not going over 150 minutes. Kuselan and Katha Paraayumbol both had running times close to three hours and dragged at places. SRK and Priyadarshan want to leave no stone unturned in making the film compact and effective in carry across its emotions. One of the two songs that are remaining to be shot will be shot in a very huge scale with costs running into crores.” the source added.

A different source told us, “Following Kuselan’s bombing, a Diwali release for Billoo Barber was immediately ruled out. Shah Rukh then looked at a mid-November release but that would have pitted his film against good friend Karan Johar’s Dostana.

“His Yash Raj film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, directed by another good friend, Aditya Chopra, was slated for a December 12 release. Shah Rukh Khan is wary of releasing two of his most ambitious projects in close succession. Besides, he always goes into over drive when marketing his films; with two films he would have risked over exposure.”

Billoo Barber headlines Shah Rukh Khan, Irfan Khan and Lara Dutta. Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukonemake cameo appearances.