The year 2012 marked a significant box office showdown as two major Bollywood films, ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ and ‘Son of Sardaar,’ vied for audience attention and screen space. As November 13, 2025, marks the thirteenth anniversary of their release, it’s an opportune moment to recall the intense controversy that erupted over screen allocations between these two highly anticipated movies.
‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan,’ a romantic drama produced by Yash Raj Films and starring Shah Rukh Khan, faced stiff competition from ‘Son of Sardaar,’ an action-comedy led by Ajay Devgn. The crux of the conflict lay in allegations of unfair screen distribution. Ajay Devgn’s production company, Ajay Devgn Films, lodged a formal complaint with the Competition Commission of India (CCI), accusing Yash Raj Films of exploiting its market influence to secure a dominant share of single-screen theaters for ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan.’
Devgn publicly stated that his intention was to ensure a ‘fair fight’ and that the complaint was filed before the unfortunate passing of legendary director Yash Chopra. He expressed his apprehension about being misunderstood, telling a news agency, ‘I was a villain on both sides. I couldn’t withdraw it (notice) from the Competition Commission… It is not a normal court.’ He clarified that his grievance was not personal but a fight for his professional rights, asserting, ‘I am fighting for my right. I am not asking anyone to stop the release of a film, I am not asking for compensation; I am asking them to be fair.’
Despite the legal battle, Devgn was quick to emphasize his respect for Yash Chopra and his cinematic legacy. He noted, ‘I respected Yashji as much anybody else does. We have grown up watching his films.’ He further elaborated on the alleged ‘arm-twisting’ tactics employed by YRF to favor ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ over ‘Son of Sardaar’ in terms of screen availability.
In contrast, Shah Rukh Khan, the lead of ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan,’ dismissed the controversy as trivial. He articulated his view on the industry’s dynamics, stating, ‘The film industry operates in a free market and is not monopolistic.’ He expressed a sense of bewilderment regarding the resolution of such disputes, questioning, ‘Is someone going to tell me not to release my film on Friday.’ Khan concluded with a positive outlook, wishing well for both films and stating, ‘I think both the movies will do well.’