Nikkhil Advani recently shared that while he believes he delivered a strong film with Vedaa, he might have miscalculated by releasing it alongside the highly anticipated horror-comedy Stree 2. He admitted that avoiding a box-office clash with Stree 2 could have been a wiser choice to maximize Vedaa’s impact.
This year’s Independence Day week saw the release of three major Bollywood films, Stree 2, a horror-comedy starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor; Akshay Kumar‘s comedy Khel Khel Mein; and Vedaa, featuring John Abraham and Sharvari. The trio of releases offered a mix of genres, drawing varied audience interest during the holiday period.
In an interview wit PTI, the filmmaker reflected on the challenges faced by Vedaa after its release on August 15, particularly due to its competition with the horror-comedy Stree 2. He humorously remarked that if anything could have been changed about Vedaa, it would have been to ensure Stree 2 didn’t overshadow it.
During promotions for his upcoming series Freedom at Midnight, Nikkhil expressed confidence in his work on Vedaa, emphasizing his commitment to telling the stories entrusted to him with dedication. He noted his role is to deliver these narratives as effectively as possible.
When asked about releasing Vedaa alongside Stree 2 and Khel Khel Mein, Nikkhil Advani remarked on the popularity of light-hearted films in the post-pandemic era, noting that audiences often gravitate toward feel-good genres during challenging times.
Nikkhil also praised Vedaa as a powerful film addressing significant social issues, noting it could have been a standalone story about Dalit rights. However, he acknowledged that audiences, especially after the lockdown, are more inclined toward uplifting entertainment, as demonstrated by the success of Stree 2.