With big Bollywood banners missing in action this Diwali and Eid, the mantle has fallen on producers like Vashu Bhagnani and Ratan Jain to entertain people in this festive season.

Last year, as much as Rs 1 billion was at stake during the Diwali season, thanks to Yash Chopra's Veer-Zaara, Abbas-Mastan's Aitraaz, Ram Gopal Varma's Naach and K Asif's re-released Mughal-e-Azam.

This year, it's barely half that amount, with movies like Priyadarshan's Kyon Ki and Garam Masala and David Dhawan's Shaadi No 1.

"In the past few years, Yash Chopra and Karan Johar's films dominated the box office in Diwali. But this year, they are not ready with their films," says trade analyst Taran Adarsh. 

At the movies, this Diwali

"Traditionally, big banners release a film every Diwali but this year they have kept away as their films are not ready," adds trade analyst Vinod Mirani. "Last year, it was a bigger Diwali release at the box office because Yash Chopra directed a film after seven years and the re-release of the colour version of Mughal-e-Azam."

Like last year, this year too Diwali and Eid are almost coinciding. To cash on the festive mood, filmmakers are releasing their films on Tuesday, November 1, instead of the usual Friday.

But unlike last year, rib-ticklers are ruling the roost this year with Shaadi No 1 and Garam Masala. Kyon Ki is the only non-comedy release this Diwali.

"Off late, feel-good films are doing well at the box office and there are chances that these films too will click," Mirani says.

Malayali director Priyadarshan has two films at the marquee this year -- Kyon Ki (Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Rimii Sen) and Garam Masala (Akshay Kumar and John Abraham).

David Dhawan's Shaadi No 1 has a big cast including Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan, Sharman Joshi, Soha Ali Khan and more.

Dhawan and his producer Vashu Bhagnani are coming together after a long break of seven years, and hope to repeat their No 1 magic (like Hero No 1, Coolie No 1). Only now, their favourite hero Govinda has been replaced by Sanjay Dutt.

Dhawan's last few films like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya have hit bull's-eye, and escalated him to the league of top directors once again.

On the other hand, this is the first time that Priyadarshan will be directing Salman and Kareena. Priyan, as he is often called, always complained about how top Bollywood stars never worked with him. Salman is the first among the Khan trio to do a film with him.

Priyan's other release Garam Masala had to wait for four long years before his Hera Pheri star Akshay Kumar could give him  dates.

"Priyan wanted me in Garam Masala but I just could not give him dates. But he was willing to wait. He felt that I would play my life's [best] role," said Akshay recently.

Apparently, Akshay three-times three airhostesses in the movie, and most of his time is dedicated to ensure that he does not get caught.

John Abraham plays a spoilsport who always tries to upset Akshay's plan.

"The film is a feel-good cinema and Akshay and John are at their best," says Ratan Jain, producer of Garam Masala.
 
"For the past one and half months, we have been thirsting for big films. First, the Shradh period started; then it was Navratri; then Ramzan and then school exams. The advantage the Diwali releases have is that they enjoy a five-day weekend, thanks to holidays for Diwali, Eid and then Basi Eid. Each producer has released 500 prints for their films and they will laugh all the way to the bank," says Adarsh.

"Besides, there is no major release next week. The next release – Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena -- is on November 18, so these films have a long run."