New Tamil films are creating a bit of a buzz. Back in the theatres after a film strike had held back new releases, they are attracting good footfalls to the multiplexes. Karthik Subbaraj’s experimental film Mercury (released globally on Friday, April 13) was the first one to have its big release in Tamil Nadu on Friday, April 20. Sources say TFPC found that not many were coming forward to release their movies as they wanted a little more time to promote their movies.
The small budget movie Munthal also hit the screens on April 20 and obviously the advantage is with Mercury, which had garnered lot of attention due its genre - a silent thriller. Karthik’s tweets on the film strike saying audiences were being deprived of new movies may have prompted patrons to start coming to the theatres in large numbers. It needs to be seen as to how the new genre would attract crowds after the weekend.
Two more movies - Arvind Swami’s Bhaskar Oru Rascal and Vikram Prabhu’s Pucca - have announced their release for April 27. Besides, a source from TFPC says that they have received close to 35 movies which are ready for release in the next one and a half months till June 7. “We are working on a proper schedule now to facilitate the smooth release of all the movies,” an EC member told DC.
The social media and a section of cricket fans are now slamming the Tamil film industry for its selective outrage. When many K’town personalities had supported to boycott CSK’s matches in Chennai over the Cauvery Management Board row, why do they say ‘yes’ to films now? Why can’t they say entertainment is not needed till CMB is formed and stop screening of new films and protest in front of the theatres? Cricket was just a soft target.
Many twitterati targeted the Tamizhar Kalai Ilakkiya Panbaattu Peravai, formed by Bharathiraja, Ameer, Seeman, Gauthaman, Vetri Maaran and Ram who vehemently protested when an IPL match was conducted in the city.
“As the Tamil Nadu film producers’ ban on new Tamil film releases has been lifted, I would like Mr Bharathiraja, Vetrimaran, Ameer, Seeman, Vairamuthu & the others from the Tamil Nadu film industry who opposed the IPL saying that entertainment is not needed without the CMB, to assemble in front of cinemas and stop the screening of new Tamil movies from this week in Tamil Nadu. We will do a hunger strike in front of their houses,” was the statement, which is making its rounds on WhatsApp, which is going viral.
“Where is that Pachai, Neelam, Sivappu Tamil Directors who asked everybody to Boycott IPL & now shamelessly going to release movies. Doesn’t this distract people? Maybe they will say that is Producer Council we are directors. Maybe people can Boycott...”, posts netizen Villu with a picture of an empty theatre.
Sooriyah Dhanapathi expressed a similar opinion, posting, “Kollywood strike done right. Requesting Dear Seeman, Bharathiraja and all the other Film Industry people to protest near theatres cause this is also going to distract people from CMB issue. I request all Chennai IPL fans to join this also.” Rohit posts, “So now as the TFPC strike is over will you al ask ppl to boycott films & if they go will you walk up to theatres to stp forms of entertainment til CWB is formed?”
Replying to those who are criticising him, Bharathiraja said, “We protested against the IPL cricket match in Chennai only to grab global attention in the Cauvery issue and to press for our demand to set up the Cauvery River Water Management Board. If we oppose Tamil movies, the issue will not get highlighted beyond Tamil Nadu. So what is the use in protesting against movies? We won’t do it. And we are not against cricket or the match.”
Three days back, acto-producer Udhayanidhi Stalin pointed out the two-facedness in film industry with respect to CMB through his tweet, ‘Like IPL matches (which were stopped in Chennai following protests), will the release of Tamil films too be stopped till the Cauvery Board is formed? This will help more in grabbing the attention of non-functional central and state governments.”
Post this producer Dhananjayan requested TFPC to postpone his movie Mr Chandramouli after May 3 when the Central government is expected to submit the draft ‘Scheme’ on Cauvery Water sharing to the top court.
When the makers of much awaited film of Superstar Rajinikanth Kaala announced that the movie will hit the marquee on June 7, a few were of the opinion that they had played safe, as by then the Cauvery issue would hopefully have settled down, with the CMB formation cleared by the Centre.
Our sources, however, found out the real reason for their decision. It is learnt that since Mahesh Babu’s biggie Bharat Ane Nenu just hit the screens on April 20 with a massive opening and running to packed houses and yet another biggie Allu Arjun’s Naa Peru Surya scheduled for May 4 release, Kaala could not get enough number of theatres in Andhra and Telangana, which are also a very big markets for the Superstar.
Though there’s no official word from Kamal Haasan about Vishwaroopam 2, insiders reveal the actor turned politician has planned to release it on June 1, which apparently will clash with Kaala. There is no saying whether this is political rivalry or just cinema logic, but it does seem that the destinies of the two major stars of Tamil cinema are set to keep clashing with each other – in theatres and in the stage of politics.
