MUMBAI — Two of Bollywood's biggest stars will compete for box office glory in India this weekend as the Diwali festival gets under way.

Huge queues formed outside cinemas in Mumbai on Thursday ahead of the release this weekend of "Saawariya" (Beloved), starring Bollywood bad boy Salman Khan, and "Om Shanti Om", which features Shah Rukh Khan.

Both movies are expected to attract big audiences and many theatres are planning to put on extra early showings to meet demand.

"If it's Shah Rukh, you cannot take a chance. You better get in early," said Shridhir Hejib, a fan who booked tickets on Thursday.

Bollywood is hoping the two movies will boost a weak box-office performance in a year. Only a dozen of the more than 100 Bollywood releases have been successful, according to industry experts.

"Sawaariya" is Hollywood studio Sony Pictures' maiden foray into India's Bollywood movie industry.

Its star, 41-year-old Salman, is currently out on bail after he was given a six-year jail sentence for poaching.

"There is not other film releasing next week so definitely both films will benefit at the box office," said trade analyst Amod Mehra.