Mumbai: Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has postponed the release date of his much-awaited film "Padman" to avoid a box office clash with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama "Padmaavat".

Akshay said Bhansali approached him to shift the release of "Padman" and he decided to push the date as the director had already faced a lot trouble.

"Padman", directed by R Balki, was supposed to release on January 25, but now it will arrive in theatres on February 9.

"My film 'Padman' was going to come out on January 25 and 'Padmaavat' was going to come out at the same time. I met Sanjay Leela Bhansali at Filmfare press conference and he told me to push the release date.

"We all are here as one family. I want his film to come solo and I wish him luck. He has gone through a lot," the 50- year-old actor said at a press conference here.

Bhansali, who has stayed away from the limelight due to the controversy surrounding "Padmaavat", was also present at the press conference.

The director said he is grateful to Akshay for moving his film to February 9 and let "Padmaavat" have a solo release.