Festival Face-Off: 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' vs 'Maidaan

Two major motion pictures with somewhat distinct tastes are vying for the same festival release. The 1998 commercial entertainer's title is carried over into Vashu Bhagnani's fictional Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (BMCM); Boney Kapoor and Zee Studio's Maidaan is a somber independent biopic of a 1950s football coach. In BMCM, the major performers are from two distinct eras, and the antagonist (Prithviraj) is adored as a hero in Malayalam. Meanwhile, Maidaan primarily features Ajay Devgn, who is partnered with Priyamani from the South. With over fifty journalists visiting Jordan, Tiger Shroff and Akshay Kumar making dramatic, action-hero-style debuts for promotions in Lucknow, both stars dancing at the IPL opening ceremony, and social media reels featuring amusing antics between bade and chote, BMCM has marketed itself with a flamboyance appropriate for its dance-n-action genre. Maidaan has been compared to its hero, Ajay Devgn, who speaks more in front of the camera than behind it.

On the one hand, the Id platter features activity and fun, while on the other, authenticity and passion.

In BMCM, which was shot as scheduled between January 2023 and January 2024 and is scheduled for release as per the agreement, Akshay and Tiger combine their personal appeals with the added attraction of director Ali Abbas Zafar. Ali's 2017 film Tiger Zinda Hai was possibly the best entry in the YRF series. However, in the seven years that have passed, Ali has produced two bland films: Bloody Daddy (2023) on OTT and a mediocre Bharat (2019) on the big screen. Tiger and Akshay have also seen some hiccups. This makes BMCM an essential film for everyone to see, particularly considering that Tiger and Akshay have never made a picture with a budget of more than Rs 350 crore.

In contrast, Maidaan's expenses skyrocketed and nothing went according to plan. Extensive sets were erected to film football matches in the quintessential Boney Kapoor style. However, when the epidemic stopped filming for more than a year, cyclonic rains destroyed the expensive small studio, complete with a large sports field, makeup, monitor, and bathrooms. Similar to Ali, director Amit Ravindernath Sharma, who is most recognized for his capable portrayal of Badhaai Ho, has only managed to complete one episode of Lust Stories 2 on OTT thus far and has yet to duplicate his 2018 big-screen achievement. On the good side, though, is Ajay's devoted following of people who respect his skill. Shaitaan, his supernatural horror movie, too enjoyed strong box office performance.

As a result, BMCM and Maidaan both have certain alluring qualities. However, there isn't any animosity between the two movies that are released this Wednesday, Son of Sardaar starring Ajay and Jab Tak Hai Jaan starring YRF, unlike in the past, when, say, the films were at odds and even went to court. An irate Boney had voiced his displeasure in public three years prior, when Maidaan and Raja-mouli's RRR were set to square off on Dussehra 2021 (that's how long the movie has been aching to hit theaters). His relationship with Rajamouli predated the time Sridevi's terms had not worked out for the director, who had originally wanted her for his 2015 blockbuster Bahubali. In the end, neither Maidaan nor RRR were able to appear in theaters for Dussehra.

But following heart-wrenching disappointments, Syed Abdul Rahim, a football coach, showed up by coincidence on ID, and his visit couldn't have come at a better moment. On an occasion like Id, the Hyderabadi coach confronting the bullying football dadas of Bengal would strike a chord, even though it is not as obvious as the minority victimization of Kabir Khan in Chak De! India.

But this time, Team Maidaan and Team BMCM have managed to keep a certain level of civility in the public area. Rather than hostility, there is genuinely camaraderie. Akshay tweeted, "My wish for you always, Kar har Maidaan fateh," on April 2, Ajay's birthday. With a "Thanks Bade Miyan," Devgn answered.

Unnoticed in the excitement surrounding them is the fact that Parag Desai, who is in charge of both films' press, is the PR person for the first time when two films collide on the same celebratory day.

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