Lakadbaggha: Is Anshuman Jha's film releasing on January 13 to avoid a clash with Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan?

Perhaps this is the best way to show respect to the man he admired and grew up watching and dreamed to become an actor. Anshuman Jha has decided to release his next film, Lakadbaggha, on January 13, 10 days before the mega release of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's much-awaited film, Pathaan.

As the trailer of the film launched in Mumbai on Tuesday, the lead actor of the film revealed the real reason behind the release date in an interaction with the media.

Anshuman said, "I am a very instinctive person. So, after the positive response from several film festivals, Lakadbaggha premiered in Kolkata and went to New York. We wanted to carry forward that energy with the release of the film in January itself. And then, well, kisi Pathaan ne kaha hai ki mausam kharab hone wala hai, kursi ki peti bandh lijiye. So, I thought that before the weather changes, let's just release the film!(laughs)."

Lakadbaggha is set to clash at the box office with the multi-starrer film Kuttey, which is directed by Aasmaan Bhardwaj and stars Tabu, Konkona Sensharma, Arjun Kapoor, Radhika Madan, Kumud Mishra and Naseeruddin Shah.

Interestingly, Anshuman is also very appreciative of the Kuttey and believes that every film should receive love from the audience.

"I also want everyone to go and watch Kuttey - I will be doing that. My favourite actors are in the film, as well as my guru Naseer sir (veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah). In the beginning of my career, I worked backstage for his theatre production. So, yes, I am looking forward to watching that film too," said Anshuman.

However, when he was asked if there is a fight between a hyena (Lakadbaggha) and a dog (Kuttey), who will have the bigger bite, Anshuman replied, "Ek hyena kaafi hai."

The actor also shared some fun facts when he was asked if hyenas hunt in groups. He said, "Hyenas usually do not go hunting in groups; they do that only when they are going to hunt a lion, or are hungry or in a scavenger mood. You see, a hyena is a very intelligent animal - it can count, has a sharp mind and the highest protein content in their milk, which is why even a baby hyena is super strong!"

Lakadbaggha, produced by First Ray Films, is releasing in theatres on January 13.