Ryan Gosling’s new space drama The project Hail Mary was delayed in its release in India due to the sensational performance of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The film released worldwide last week, but reached Indian theaters on Thursday, March 26. And yet, this release is also partial as the film – shot for IMAX – has managed to bag only five IMAX screens across India. All other IMAX shows are being given to Dhurandhar 2, which is performing strongly in its first weekend. This has disappointed many fans, as the project Hail Mary has been globally acclaimed and praised for its visuals, which work best on the big screen, preferably IMAX.
Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the project Hail Mary is based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir. It stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, who wakes up on an interstellar spaceship with no memory of how he got there. The film has been critically acclaimed for its stunning visuals, with many social media posts highlighting its portrayal on the big screen.
In India, it was released on Thursday, but as of late Wednesday night, no IMAX showing of the film was available on any major ticketing platform. Cinemas in Kochi and Coimbatore on Wednesday added IMAX shows for the film, but later removed them without explanation. By Thursday morning the number had increased to five – two each in Mumbai and Pune and one in Kolkata. The main reason for the film getting IMAX screens seems to be financial, as Dhurandhar 2 is performing well in theatres, earning ₹Rs 48 crore on Wednesday. But the irony of a film shot for IMAX not being available on IMAX was irked by fans.
Fans are angry over no IMAX show for Project Hail Mary
Many fans tweeted at Sony Pictures India, which is bringing the film to theaters in the country. One wrote, “Won’t watch it in theaters unless it’s on IMAX. Sorry, the Indian theater experience isn’t worth it anymore.” Another echoed, “WTF filmed for IMAX?” A post by PVR Cinemas asking fans to watch the film ‘on the biggest screen’ garnered similar reactions. A fan complained, “There is no IMAX screening available in Delhi for Project Hail Mary, and yet you post about it. This is so disappointing.”
Many cinephiles said they understood the financial justification for putting Dhurandhar 2 in more shows, but lamented that it made no sense when there was an IMAX-ready film for those screens. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2 has been shot on the regular format. “No one is saying anything. Why aren’t they releasing an IMAX show for a movie shot for IMAX??? What kind of greed is this,” read one particularly angry comment.
India release of Project Hail Mary
Due to Dhurandhar 2, the film was postponed by a week in India. Talking to Hindustan Times, the directors called it a sign of the growing soft power of Indian cinema. Phil Lord said, “I don’t have to tell you very often, when you look at the top 10 movies in the United States, there will be a Bollywood movie. Those movies play in American theaters. Most Americans say ‘what’s that?’, but there’s a big audience for it.”
The film, which also stars Sandra Huler, James Ortiz and Lionel Boyce, is now playing in theaters worldwide.