update ; MASTER Release on Jan 13 - Widest release for any Tamil film so far

 Thalapathy Vijay’s Master will release on January 13  and create history by being the first Tamil film to have the maximum number of screens in the State .The distributors and exhibitors agreed to the conditions set by Seven Screen studios who bought the exhibition rights. The exhibitor lobby had gone in to a huddle after channels reported that OTT platform had put forth a lucrative price for Master.

Sources said that those who had paid MG (advance paid to producer and not refundable) was asking that they be paid interest on the money advanced as the release date keeps on moving further and no end in sight. On the other hand the company also has borrowed from the market. The pandemic had upset the calculation.

The entire cast and crew has been paid in full by Seven Screen studios who acquired the rights from XB Film Creators of Brito, the official co-producer and uncle of the film’s hero Vijay. Brito is said to have pocketed close to Rs 25 cr. Seven Screen has other big budget films too lined up and in various stages of production.

The OTT Amazon Prime has paid close to Rs 60 cr for digital rights. Theatrical business so far done is in the range of Rs 120 crores. Amazon was willing to go in for more money if it was allowed to release by year end or mid January. The success of Soorarai Pottru and Mookuthi Amman which has given three fold returns on investment for OTT has raised the price. 40 million views for Master teaser on YouTube is another factor.

No interest on money given – 80%  theatre collection share for distributors in first week and 60 % in second week. MG terms as it is. These terms have to be agreed. Single screen and multiplexes that are not part of national chain have agreed. Now the ball is in the national chain of multiplexes court.

XB Film Creators' statement is as follows: "As we continue to battle the pandemic, we hope you are all safe and doing fine. We understand and can feel the amount of excitement among the audience to celebrate our #Master in theatres. We await the Big Day to come, as much as you do. With lot of rumours surfacing in the past few days, we would like to clarify our stand on it. Though we have an offer from a reputed OTT service provider, we prefer to the theatrical release, which is the need of the hour for the industry to survive the on-going crisis. We also request the theatre owners to stand with us and provide their support for reviving the Tamil Film Industry. We hope to reach out to you soon, with the good news. Stay safe."

Atlee's Andhagaaram is a pain - Vetri Maaran makes right choice with Kaval thurai Ungal nanban

 

Priya Atlee ,wife of hot shot box office hitmaker  Atlee ( to direct Shah Rukh Khan ) is producer of Andhagaaram released on Netflix and Vetri Maaran, a director whose films tackle issues that plague the society in a  way that appeals to the layman,   is producer of Kaval thurai ungal nanban to hit cinemas this Friday..  Priya has backed a film that is a torture to sit through, while Maaran’s choice  does not disappoint.  Contrary to the title Kaval ungal nanban title , the film shows that  the police force  are no friends of the public. While Andhagaaram boasts of some of the best technical talents behind the scenes and actors like Arjun Das and Vinoth along with Kumar Natarajan and Pooja Ramachandran who have given power house performances, director Vignarajan makes full use of a lavish budget that he got for his first film in perfecting the visuals and technical aspects . He takes his own sweet time to unfold the story and in the process makes the viewer loses his patience.

Andhagaaram released on OTT gives the viewer the chance to grab the remote and look for something more interesting. Almost two hours of the three hours  viewing, you are still  left blind. As you see the climax unfold, then you curse the director for all the unnecessary padding up of the movie. You get the feeling that the director was on a trip to impress you with all the knowledge that he has about ingredients that gives it  a Hollywood like movie and had no intention to entertain you or thought that your time was valuable.

Wonder what  Priya (who according to her hubby sits with him from narration of a subject to a hero onwards) saw in putting her name to it. True to Vetri Maaran style, the film Kaval… is a expose of how the Inspector level dealing  towards a young couple who has no connections and thinks that posts on Twitter will bring in the righteous pouring in support. Though there is a clichéd romance etc, the director builds up the tempo. As story unfolds, you get the feeling that the young boy is asking for serious trouble and it does happen. The climax too leaves you amazed.  The film is basically a play between Suresh Ravi and Mime Gopi and the strength lies in the acting of the latter. Raveena does her part convincingly. A film  worth seeing and good that it is coming in the theaters.

BJP ignores Rajini - DMK man wins Producers election- Adult comedy rakes money

 

After the death of Jayalalithaa, it was expected that Modi- Amit combo will woo Rajinikanth for an alliance. Disappointing the media, Amit Shah on his visit to Chennai, did not visit Poes Garden. Instead the TN CM and deputy called on Shah at his room in Hotel Leela. This signals that BJP no more thinks that Rajini is bankable. Theanandal films Murali won the Tamil Film Producers Council by a handsome majority. It signaled that the filmdom was banking on DMK to come to power as the winner is a DMK hardcore follower as well as patronized by Sun TV. His proximity to Actor Vijay and with big production houses is known.

When Jayalalitha was alive, Modi on his Chennai visit made it a point to visit her. It was a brother- sister meeting. Now after her death, it was expected that Rajinikanth’s house in the neighbourhood would be a must visit for any top brass of saffron party. Modi had called on the actor during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. As Rajini was dilly dallying over his political entry and his seemingly pro BJP utterances, Amit Shah was expected to  call on him. This visit could have kept Rajininism alive as majority believe that he will be a no show . However, Shah kept off and disappointed followers  of Rajinism.. Now with this no show of Shah , the message has come out that Rajini’s political party will be not a player in the State polls coming in May. So it means that the Superstar is going to take rest. He has already told Sun TV, producer of Annathe, that he will complete the film only after the vaccine is given to entire crew and he too had the dosage.

The box office results of Tamil films released after lifting restrictions show Irandam Kutthu , an adult comedy film badly butchered by censors, gave the producer- actor- director Jayakumar, a modest Rs 3cr profit even before release. The exhibitors seemed to have not recovered the advance to distributor. The producer who announced a sequel might compensate the loss.

Comedian Santhanam’s  Biskoth was a loss to the producer- distributor. Marijuana, a third film to release went up in smoke on day one. With no crowds, a cyclone warning, theaters downed shutters from Monday. Mookuthi Amman has made the OTT platform happy as it garnered good views. A few non Star films are waiting to come on Friday. Theaters advertised of 50% discounts for eatables from the stalls as an incentive.

On the shooting front, Ajith’s Valimai is progressing. Vijay Sethupathi- Shruti Haasan film Laabam completed the shoot. Only TV serial shoots are going on . Some films that aim for OTT release are in post production stage. Meanwhile vernacular dailies have jacked up the rates for cinema advts .

Kasthuri with SAC at Thalapathy Vijay's ex manager's charity function - with no backing SAC drops political party

 

Actress Kasthuri and SAC took part in the function organised by Thalapathy Vijay's former manager P T Selvakumar who runs Kalpai Makkal iyakkam. The iyyakam has been doing service to women and daily wage workers during the lockdown. There was a buzz that Kasthuri had joined BJP when Amit Shah visited Chennai, She denied it.

The President of the Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam which applied for a political party registration has resigned, citing police harassment. SAC pulled back his application. Padmanabhan in his statement said that his family and relatives were subjected to police harassment for no fault of theirs. The Iyyakam which took a political colour at the behest of SAC, father of Vijay,  is now headless. Vijay’s mother Shoba who signed in the application as treasurer had publicly stated that she was misled by her husband into doing so. The police harassment of those in the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam that owes allegiance to SAC  is seen as a sign of a pact between the actor and the ruling AIADMK- BJP combine. The understanding is that Vijay would maintain a silence during the upcoming State polls.

The behind the scenes activity is said to be the work of Anand , who was MLA from Puduchery’s Bussy constituency.  He then was in TMC and in the subsequent election he lost. SAC had inducted him in the Vijay fans association and he gradually grew to be the All India President of the organization that was converted into a welfare association. A few months back, SAC started speaking in public about the likelihood of his son coming to politics. This spurred a series of posters coming up in Madurai and elsewhere proclaiming Vijay as future CM. SAC was caught off guard when those who put up the posters were suspended from the Iyyakam by Anand. Raja, a trusted aide of SAC, who was overseeing the Iyakkam affairs was forced to quit as his mentor lost his grip on the outfit.

SAC then saw that the association was filled with yes men of Anand. SAC says that for 37 districts, the body has 200 District Presidents. He claims that ad-hoc appointments were made and those in these posts accepted money from the ruling and opposition political parties. He says that   the social media handles were in the hands of these groups who put out false stories about undeserving people and crediting them for having helped the Iyakkam. SAC points out that Vijay believes this news as he has no interaction with the media or anybody else. In short, Vijay is in the hands of the group that has kept him in a web of lies.

SAC found that his son was not willing to let go of Anand. It is said that Anand drafted the unsigned press note by Vijay to the media. He had used strong words implying that Vijay’s  father’s actions were illegal and would invite action . The actor also asked his fans to not take part in these activities. Soon after this, Anand got all District Presidents for a meet with Vijay to show that the rank and file was with the actor. As Vijay’s mother Shoba’s signature on the application form was seen as the actor playing a game, Anand masterminded a press meet and got her to denounce SAC.

Already many who supported SAC were picked up by police on trumped up charges and their family members harassed. SAC claimed that Padmanabhan was only a dummy who would vacate the post as soon as Vijay got ready to occupy it. He claimed that all those who were seen as threat to Anand camp was targeted with the help of the police and to save them the political party was started. Now  with the latest resignation , more might desert SAC.

 

Distortion of realities in Mookuthi Amman

 

Mookuthi Amman film is set in  Vellimalai of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. A Godman using the temple’s popularity usurps acres of land to build his ashram. Reality – In Vellimalai , exists Sri Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashram  founded by Swami Ambananda in 1940.. It is one of the most revered institutions that was nerve center of  Hindu renaissance. Now headed by Swami Chaitnyananda is spread all over the State and in Sri Lanka teaching Hinduism. They  had nothing to do with land grab and was seen as a counter to the vigorous teaching of Christianity in Church funded  schools of Kanyakumari. Like  the deity  Mookuthi Ammaan , Kanyakumari is known for her diamond nose ring that according to folklore is said to be so sparkling that it served like a lighthouse to ships. The naming of deity located in this District as Mookuthi Amman is apt.

Amman getting angry as devotees give more importance to Tirupati when they can afford a travel and neglecting the kula deivam or Grama Devata is misplaced  Kanyakumari is one place where local deities are worshipped irrespective of a caste divide. The deity is not seen as belonging to any Hindu sect and along the coastline, Hindu and Christian fishermen support these small temples and churches. The belief is that Sea God is common to all who fish in the sea and to not invoke the wrath, the Christian and Hindu fishermen patronize each other’s worship places.  The Christian fishermen used to call St. Lucia, Kannamma and considered her the sister of Bhagwati Amma. They believed that during the Bhagawati Amman Festival at Mandai Kadu, there would be a good catch of fish. They made offerings at the Bhagwati Amman temple and their song was:

Kadal Vazhi Vantha Kannamma

Therai Vazhi Vantha Bhagwati Amman.

The Hindus used to make offerings to 'Sakayamata' church (church of Lady of Perpetual Help). This cultural anthropological fact is not an epiphenomenon. None of these religious people would like to see the relations between the communities destroyed. Their religious faith based on their experience is basic to their 'being'.

As a journalist, I reported the communal violence that broke out at the Mandikadu Bhagwati Amman temple 'Masi Kodai' festiva in 1982. The  festival that year had witnessed a clash of loudspeakers between the temple and the Church. Further to this the rumor broke out that Hindu women who went to take customary bath in the sea were raped by Christian fishermen. 14 fishermen died of police firing. After this, the District went back to normal.  This violence came a year later after an agreement between the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Kendra and the Christians running the ferry service. The grounds for dispute were many like St Francis had also mediated on the rock and the dredging was a threat to the a small piece of land which housed the Christian fishermen. The real reason was that the Memorial became synonymous with Hinduism and not as a national monument.

There can can be no valid  reason for deletion of the scene which shows the pastor `creating’ miracles in the name of Jesus.In Kanyakumari more than 50 % of the Christian population is Pentecostals and CSI The  groups that the pastor was shown to represent thrives the most in this district. Though it was badly conceptualized, the presence of such activities in Kanyakumari is very much prevalent A stylish presentation of this `miracle cure’ was allowed to be screened in the Malayalam film ` Trance’. At the same time, the character of the hero’s sister veering towards Christianity on her own will and school saying that they had no role in it goes counter to the  video evidence of a prominent Christian school conducting a prayer session of students in uniforms . The prayers were bordering on the psychologically brainwashing of the students. However, the character that the director created could exist and cannot be seen as whitewashing of conversions that are rampant in Kanyakumari.

As a person with roots in Kanyakumari, I have jotted down a few observations about the film as it is said to be happening from a place , I know.

( source; ibiblio.org for Mandaikadu background)

 

 

Update l Laxmii in single screens defying ban as it breaks Dil Bechara records on OTT . despite bad reviews and piracy

 

A distributor has been quoted as saying by the trade portal, “These are regular cinemas who come to us for buying the screening rights of films distributed by us and by the other distributors like us. If the terms demanded by us don’t suit them, they go away without striking deals but they then screen the film illegally and pocket the collections cent per cent.”

Disney- Hotstar the OTT that released Laxmii has said that " #Laxmii breaks all records to become the biggest opening movie ever on Disney+ Hotstar VIP! Thank you for all the love. Subscribe now to watch the entertainment blockbuster of the year.”. The previous record was Sushanth's Dil Bechara. The film Laxmii was produced by FoxStar for Rs 65 cr  and bought by Hotstar for Rs 150 cr excluding satellite rights. Star Gold ,the parent company bought the satellite rights for an undisclosed amount. Fox ' Star has to share the OTT rights amount with Akshay Kumar. By a rough estimate, producer makes Rs 85 cr as profit.Overseas the film released in UAE, Australia, New Zealand -Fiji. The film did a business of 15,886 USD [Rs. 11.78 lacs] from 43 screens in Australia. While in New Zealand the film collected 14,897 USD [Rs. 11.05 lacs] from 29 screens.Tamilrockers which was lying low bounced back with it streaming the film as it was available to only VIP subscribers.

The critics verdict is  Laxmii is till date the worst film of 2020 and beats Sadak 2. The film’s plot and screenplay that was created in 2011 and delivered as is it is in 2020 and taking away some points that appealed to the Tamil audiences then was bound to be a disaster. By just having the new equipments and technology is not enough but the script too needs a massive change. No wonder the producer’s wanted to dump the director and take the story alone In fact, as a film critic from the South, I would say that the subject does not have anything in it for a remake. It should have been left alone.

The story was set in a time which is much different from today. The transgender role had created a lot of curiosity as for one it was played by a macho top selling actor Sarath Kumar. The novelty of this had created an interest in the audience then. Today, we have a film Super Deluxe in Tamil with a BO saleable actor Vijay Sethupathi playing a transgender taking the role to another level. Secondly, Raghava Lawrence ,the director played the meek guy afraid of ghosts and this went well as he did not have any baggage of an onscreen image to carry. Here , the problem is that Akshay Kumar is totally miscast. The jump scare and so many other outdated elements has got a nod from Akshay is surprising. Lawrence has not moved an inch further than his first Kanchana  and every two- three years he keeps coming up with a sequel that caters to an audience that keeps their brains at home.

If at all there is something that one can say well is the Bumbholle song towards the climax. Sometimes everything goes wrong for a film. Apart from the content, you had many who launched a ban LaxmiiBomb hashtag and then another set saying that it is Hinduphobic and whole new group saying that Akshay ,a BJP supporter did the most bravest thing by playing a Muslim married to a Hindu. Some good actors like Kelkar got drowned in this messy film. Kiara is obviously in it for the money.

Biskoth is a stale one - Only Amman Nayanthara can save Mookuthi Amman

 

Two comedians turned heroes come with two duds for Diwali. Santhanam’s Biskoth ( Biscuit pronounced in Tamil)is a rehash of Adam Sandlers Bedtime Stories and does not acknowledge it while R J Balaji ‘s Mookuthi Amman in the title credits agree that it was inspired by the Hindi film PK. Both the films have a common thread in terms of film making – in the second half of the film the directors seem to have lost steam and run out of gags. It is then how to finish it off as quickly as possible.

In the theatre screening Biskoth, the girls a handful of them were seen cringing in the underwear comic scenes . I took a close look at poster while going out and saw it had a U certificate.

Biskoth is about an old grandma telling tales that come out true but goes awry in one tale that lands the hero a biscuit company employee in trouble. To make it look that director Kannan is one who does homework, some details of biscuit making process are shown. If he had given more time on rehashing the English film , it would have helped. To compensate for lack of gags, Kannan could have used Tara Berry’s curves to retain interest. Santhanam once again lands in a film with a good plot but a faulty screenplay with Biskoth. R J Balaji who after LKG success was expected to come with a comic- satire look on the Godman and his empire’s machinations scripted the subject around Nayanthara in title role  and  all the rest of the scenes which does not feature her are all a drag. Nayanthara’s role can be called an `extended’ cameo.

The first day audience seen at Biskoth were in their teens and devoid of any family crowd that should be the main stay of such comic genre. Most of the teen  fans of the comedian hero seemed unhappy. If Mookuthi ... was released in theaters it would have disapponted those looking for staple fare of Amman genre and Godman expose is not new theme for anybody and would have disappointed Lady Superstar fans.

As I moved to the bike stand, a duo on a bike was yelling to another group – Let’s go to Irandam kuthu. This happened after  Biskoth show. Looks like the `talk’ that theater guy expected has taken place after morning show of IK has taken place.

Irandam Kuthu : No adult stuff except those already in the teaser

 

The guy standing in front told his friend that if you wash your hands with sanitizer and light a cracker, it would burn you up. A loud guffaw broke out. This was while waiting for the theater guy to squeeze the sanitizer on to your hand. On the way out, the two guys were standing near the bike and saying to a mike holding guy taking public opinion – “Not a bit film nor a ghost film. Nothing to enjoy with male friends either. Disgusting talk of homosexuality and masturbating for each other, ugh”.

Hardly 20 guys were inside the hall. The man at the door said sheepishly that they would have to wait till evening for `talk’ to pick up. One guy asked whether the theater was screening Vijay’s Master teaser in the evening. Santosh ,the director who also plays one of the leads has given the film which is left with , only one liners loaded with sexual meaning. Reports said that 32 cuts were given by censor. Poor guy was left with only what’s left. Now that OTT has come under I&B censor, the uncensored version too cannot come out. The film ends with the message to wait for Moonam kuthu ( third poke/jab).

Two couples on honeymoon in Thailand take a house haunted by a female ghost who wants to be sexually satisfied by the men is the story line. I think the girls named in credits as  Meenal- Shamu- Akiriti Singh-Karisma Kaul could have flaunted their wares but only the censors and makers saw it. If people who saw Soorarai Pottru on OTT and said it should have come on screen, the target audience of Irandam Kuthu say that this should have come on OTT and could have made their Diwali a paisa vasool.

Soorarai Pottru : Good acting by Suriya makes it worth a watch

If you are thinking that Soorarai Pottru is one hell of a biopic of a man who survived all odds to  launch a low cost airline , then forget it.  See it for Suriya who brings out his best , all round good performances, technically good and to see a film without any gore. 

I am tackling this film as just a movie goer who after lockdown has not seen any new Tamil STAR movie on OTT. Day in out, I could see Suriya's Singham and its sequels on TV.  Then comes some new Tamil movies on OTT. Though  not star backed, the films content was just pedestrian. So as we were resigning to the fate that till theaters open all substandard stuff is going to be premiered on OTT, when came the news that Suriya - hit director Sudha Kongara combo film made at a big budget is to premiere on Amazon.So it was like seeing  a watering hole in midst of a desert. Soon there was many against such a move and it looked like a mirage. Now it has come on our screens.

The success is the good casting support for Suriya and Aparna Balamurali ( though not a big surprise to Malayalam film goers as she has done this genre before), good camera work- music, use of punch dialogues at right moment and the image of pro poor hero (must for Star film) . So far we saw films on OTT and said that it would have failed in theaters but here is a film that would work with the fans and family crowd during a Diwali season.

If you don a critic's cap and even take into allowance that the film is loosely based on Capt R Gopinath of Deccan Airways, the so called cinematic liberties are just beyond the limits. The air accident - meeting with Abdul Kalam- begging for money to get executive class ticket by an IAF officer are over the top.  Wish real life was as good as reel - in Capt Gopinath's own words to The Quint  he said  that looking back, he feels that he should have not let Mallya take control of Air Deccan had he known that the owner Kingfisher Airlines would completely change his business model. Gopinath after this started an air cargo service Deccan 360 which was a flop. Then he contested the Lok sabha polls and lost. He has penned two books and is on the advisory panel of UDAAN.

Update : Chennai's Hansa Vision gets Court relief in Republic TV TRP scam -When Brahmin ladies in Chennai dictated TRP in TN - A Republic throwback

Chennai based Hansa Vision that markets many TV serials across Indian channels has got a Mumbai Court Order directing the police to summon only the company employees twice a week in connection with the Republic TV TRP scam. Hansa denied that there was any money trail between them and the company that owns Republic TV. Hansa Research is in the dock for one of it's employees aiding Republic TV in fixing TRP ratings.  The Group CEO of Hansa, Shekar Swamy said: “We have clarified that Hansa Vision India Pvt Ltd as a buyer of Television advertising time has done business with 55 channels including Republic TV in the past. However, no business has been done by Hansa Vision with Republic TV in 2019 or 2020.” Mumbai Police is asking Hansa employees to retract a report that gives Republic TV a clean chit in the TRP scam.The channel had quoted this report of Hansa but the latter claims that it had no knowledge of such a report. 

Tamil telly soaps ratings were decided by Brahmin ladies  in the 90’s and till BARC came into picture. For this simple reason each soap had a maami or a Brahmin character in it. Contrary to what Kodambakkam portrayed this caste, the Tamil telly soaps makers made them appear very wise, pious and epitome of all virtues. The Republic TV story trending now is something that was happening for ages in TV sector. As a journalist who covered films and TV happenings ( we had a supplement called SCREEN CHANNEL) , I had lot of producers of TV serials as friends.

Then it was  TAM rating. It was a research agency which is owned by Nielsen and Kantar.  I was told that there was a TAM meter given to a lady in a household and told to watch the serials of her choice. What she watched and for how long , was logged in the meter. The ratio was something like one meter for one lakh population. Producers claimed that these people with meters were from the Brahmin caste and stayed in the pockets of Chennai that was dominated by the caste. Though TAM meters were to be on in even cities outside Chennai, the general belief was that it was all in Chennai.

The selling of advt slot for each serial allotted to the producer by the channel was roughly 5 mins for a 30 min slot. This time was sold by agencies usually run by individuals. They went to Mumbai and presented TAM ratings to advt agencies dealing with consumer goods. Some producers appointed their own marketing agents to save on the commission paid to the middle men. However in most times, these managers themselves floated agencies and sold space to their ex-boss. There was a Murthy with a long vision. He took a monopoly of ad-time in some channels and in regular production houses. It became almost a difficult task to break the hold.

It was these agents who spread the word that maamis controlled the TAM remote and so better please them. Every episode writer had to bear this mind. Even if it was a horror subject, there had to be a Brahmin in the subject. There used to be a talk that the agencies had knowledge of who had these TAM meters and they were paying them to keep the ratings of their clients soap high. I remember a politician raising the issue in the Assembly saying that certain areas in the city in the evening never had a power cut ( It was a jibe at Sun TV). At the same time, I have seen producers getting panicky when there was a power failure in the city or parts of it.

This scenario more or less was like the present allegation where people were paid to just tune to a channel and keep it on to get the rating. The TAM measurements had some things like if a person watched for 10 minutes a serial it was 24 hrs a week  A  guy who was after a channel for a evening slot got  fed up and asked for a noon slot. A channel gave it and agencies laughed as it was siesta time. It turned out that the afternoon nap time got shifted and rest is history.

BARC came in with the blessing of Arun Jaitley and formed by the broadcasters, advertisers and ad agencies, with TAM owners holding 49% but remain a silent partner. It put to an end to much maligned TAM. To all those in the TV news channels, it is known that advertisers have in majority of cases refused to re-issue release orders for advts.  Salaries have been halved or paid in installments. Most of them are run by interns. In such a situation, TV industry watchers say that all Republic did was make entertainment news into a headline news and sell it effectively.  They say that even accepting the rigging charge, Republic will still remain the market leader as the content packaging has gone down well with its viewers. 

Though many channels knew about the rigging and they too had resorted to it and many have overtaken existing number one and nobody made a noise, however the Aaj Tak losing to Republic Bharat has triggered a storm. Advertisers feel that the secret known to all channel heads but not told in open has been thrown open by the political leaders who have been at the receiving end of the Republic attack.

Sun TV new serial Abhiyum Naanum zooms ahead

 The move to introduce new serials by Sun to get back the domination in prime time slot paid off with Abhiyum Naanum reaching the 3th ranking with high TRP and is likely to move forward.and overtake Poove Unkahe of Sun in 2nd spot.  .  Among the top 20, 11 of Sun , 5 of Vijay and 6 of Zee figure.  Taking the urban and rural rating combined the  top rank is jointly held by Sun's Roja and Vijay's Bharathi Kannamma .  Vijay's Bhagyalakshmi at 5th and Pandian Stores at 6 th are TRP wise comfortably placed as Sun's Kanmani at 7th place has a TRP that is quite way below. The fourth slot held by Kalyana Veedu of Sun has only a marginal difference with Bhagyalakshmi ,the next in line.  Zee does not figure in the  top 5 race.  

The launch of new serials by Sun TV the market leader had reshuffled the prime  timings and brought in new serials and added  more to the channel and terminated some poor rated TV soaps. From 8 PM onwards, Star Vijay had a firm grip on the ratings and this left  Sun with only the 6PM to 8 PM slots.  Apart from new serials that are scheduled, there is another one – Vanathapole. Production has started but at what slot it will come is not known. Pandian Stores of Vijay TV is a rehash of film Vanathapole ( Vikraman directed)  which is a rehash of film Aandanam( directed by Lingusamy).  Vanathepole produced by a Kannada serial production house has lot of TV stars in it along with Big Screen Ambika. .

Sun banks on the improving the 9- 10.30 time band. As Chitthi TRP  ranking improves, it becomes 30 min slot and channel places a new serial before it and foresees that Kanmani will improve from present coming after Chitthi 2. Sun however is realistic that the changes will not happen till BigBoss 4 show is over. Bigg Boss 4 weekday had a steady 9.6 TRP and the puja special marathon a 9 TRP reading.  Movie Singam 3 on Sun notched a 2nd place among TRP. Sun dominates the afternoon slot and Vijay is coming out with a super sangamam of Eeramana Rojave-Anbudan Kushi  serials in the noon slot. Poove Unakaahe director has been changed and a new director brought in as Sun TV feels that a change is needed in narration as the timing remains the same and TRP is the same. Prasad who directed the 30 episodes of Poove had directed a web series for Zee5 and it started telecast. Zee Tamil is the one that is lost in the race.

 

-Thalapathy Vijay 's producer sentenced to three months jail on Dad SAC case - An interview

 

Producer Swargachitra Appachan ( Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, Manichitrathazhu, Ramji Rao Speaking and most of Fazil’s Malayalam films) interview given two years back is reproduced in the background of the news that on a complaint of cheque bouncing from SAC, father of Thalapathy Vijay, the Chennai magistrate court has sentenced the producer for three months jail and  pay back the owed money with legal costs. Appachan produced Friends with Vijay earlier and it was a super hit.  He produced Azhagiya Thamizh Magan with Vijay released on November 8, 2007. Released 13 years back, the film had Vijay in a dual role , a first in his career. Shriya Saran and Namitha were the heroines

Excerpts (translated from Malayalam)

Meeting with Vijay for the first time : My film Aniyathi Pravu in Malayalam was being remade in Tamil by Fazil. The shooting was in Kochi. I dropped on the sets. Fazil introduced me as the producer of the original. Vijay stood up and wished me and drew up a chair beside me. We chatted for some time. I asked Vijay as to what he was getting paid for this film. He said Rs 17 lakhs. I told him that after the film release, he will get Rs 1 cr. Vijay said –  Sir, if I get Rs 50 lakhs is enough. I told him that I wanted to do a Tamil film with him. He said that if I came with a super hit film, he was willing.

Two years ( 1999) FRIENDS directed by Sidiqque and produced by Lal was a hit. I told Siddiq (director) that it can be done in Tamil and Vijay had agreed to do a film. In Tamil, heroes do not back out. I met Vijay and he said that he would see the film with his father at Goodluck Theater. They saw the film and said a slight change in climax was needed but left it to the director. I paid him Rs 1.5 cr for the film. The film was a super hit.

On getting Suriya on board for Friends :  We needed somebody who would fit the role. Editor T R Sekar said that Vijay and Surya were friends in real life and studied together in Loyola College. So me and Sekar , senior editor of MGR films, went to Sivakumar’s house. Sivakumar was all respect to Sekar and then offered tea and biscuits. Then Sekar said that I had come to book Suriya for a film with Vijay as hero. Sivakumar stood up in anger and used a word which I could understand was not abusive but something similar. He said that Suriya has stopped working in films and he is concentrating on cricket and CA course. The atmosphere was such that we did not even touch the tea and scampered out.

As we reached the gates, a lady called us from behind. It was Suriya’s mother. She with folded hands said that her son is very much interested in films and to try him out. We gave our Ashok Nagar flat address and left. The reason for  Sivakumar’s outburst was because of the critical response to Neruku Ner in which Suriya acted with Vijay. We were not aware of it. Magazines like Ananda Vikatan wrote harsh reviews saying that Suriya should not spoil the name of his father and should take up some other profession. At that time, I was not upset with Sivakumar’s reaction but was sad that a real life bonding could have worked out well on screen between the actors. I was thinking about other actor’s in Tamil and Malayalam to fit the role.

Next day, Suriya came at the time said and he refused to even sit before us. I pulled up a chair and made him sit. Director Siddiq was with me. After completing the film, I paid him Rs 5 lakhs to which he said that he did not want it. I compelled him to take it. I saw him later at some places and he has the same warmth to me.

The present cheque bouncing case details:  According to SAC case in Saidapet Court, Appachan had borrowed Rs 1 cr in 2008 saying that it will be returned in 15 days time.   Azhagiya Thamizh Magan with Vijay was released on November 8, 2007. Released 11 years back the film had Vijay in a dual role , a first in his career. Shriya Saran and Namitha were the heroines.  Two times the cheque was presented and it bounced. Due to this a cheque bouncing case was filed.  

The film was directed by debutant director Bharathan who was a dialogue writer for director Dharani. It bombed miserably. Eight years later, Vijaya Productions signed Bharathan to direct Bairavaa with Vijay. This film too bombed though the banner gave away gold chains to director and crew.

According to a lawyer, the producer Appachan is financially solvent and has big ticket properties owned by him. He not paying up the money would mean that he feels that he does not have to pay as he would have given it back in some form or the issue took a turn for a ego battle. The lawyer says that the person who has the money pays up to avoid the nuisance and bad publicity .As the verdict is in lower court, it can be easily appealed in the higher court.