Year after year, most Diwali releases have elicited a tremendous response. Diwali is special people are in a mood to spend, party, get entertained. The footfalls at movie halls show a meteoric rise during this festive season. The business escalates if the films are talked-about and it definitely can't get bigger than OM SHANTI OM and SAAWARIYA.

The worldwide distributors of the two films (Eros - O.S.O., Sony – SAAWARIYA) are working at a feverish pace, marketing the products aggressively, besides getting the best deals from multiplexes. The two films are being given an extensive release across the globe. Expectedly, the first week billing will be earth shattering!

The countdown has begun! On one side is the biggest star of Hindi cinema [SRK]. On the opposite side is the biggest director of Hindi cinema [Sanjay Leela Bhansali]. The battle royal this Diwali is being keenly watched by people from within and outside the industry. Which film will steal the march and garner a big opening? The speculations have begun…

While the initial rounds had both OM SHANTI OM and SAAWARIYA trying to put their best foot forward, by way of breath taking visuals and grand song promos, round two saw the makers of both the big-budgeted ventures go in for merchandising and reality shows.

However, with the big day (November 9) less than two weeks away, SAAWARIYA has fired its ICBM, a towel-clad Ranbir, aimed at countering SRK's shirtless six-packs! This they have done through one of the best tracks of SAAWARIYA, 'Jab se tere naina'. Not willing to be cowered down, the OM SHANTI OM team has bombarded the channels with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's superb and soulfully rendered, 'Jag soona soona lage', featuring a heartbroken King Khan!

The ball is now firmly in the audience's court and it will be very interesting to see how they react to these and other publicity blitzkrieg, before casting their 'Diwali' ballot!

Two [or more] good films can easily co-exist during Diwali. Let's hope and pray, both O.S.O. and SAAWARIYA make the film industry richer by several crores this festive season. Let the festival of lights make the scenario brighter this November.