Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Kangana Ranaut `Thalaivi' Tamil version release blocked


 Kangana Ranaut's Thalaivi 's Tamil theatrical release will not take place if Amazon Prime sticks to the agreement , says an inside source.  Tamil Nadu Exhibitors Association has asked the producer- distributors to redraw the agreement with Amazon Prime  and extend the OTT release date from two weeks to four weeks of the theater release. Amazon Prime has stated that once it starts renegotiating agreements, the move would open a Pandora's box. However the Hindi version has no such problem. It has been bought by Netflix and would release it after four weeks of theater release. Telegu exhibitors too have no such hassle with OTT release. Naga Chaitanya - Sai Pallavi's Love Story seems to be the film they would bet on.

After Vijay's Master release, the producers handed over the OTT release dates much before the one month  cooling period. TN exhibitors had issued a circular that hereafter films that have an agreement that they will come on OTT after 30 days of theater release will get screens. The Tamil Film Producers Association ( TAPA) had asked it's members to not sign any such undertaking. After that there was a standoff and YNOT Studios released two of their films ( Jagame Thanthiram of Dhanush) in OTT. However Kalaipuli Dhanu and S R Prabhu took the theater route. The second lockdown came and issue was kept aside.

The major market of the film is in Tamil Nadu as Jayalalithaa is still GOD to lakhs . The Aravind Swamy- Kangana photos with similarity to MGR- Jayalalithaa has set expectations high. The film was the biggest hope of theaters to bring crowds after the second opening. When the Hindi version songs were released and promo teaser on air, Tamil version was in mute mode.

It is  to be seen whether Amazon Prime would relent . Posters announcing the Hindi release has already put out and theaters confirmed. Will the Hindi version release be delayed if Tamil is not released simultaneously ?. Those in the know say that the film focus is on how Jayalalithaa rose to be movie Queen in Kollywood and less on her political battles.. The producer is an Andhraite and co- producers are Mumbai corporates.  Director Vijay's has a production banner and registered with Tamil Film roducer's Council. Either Amazon should relent or the ruling party (DMK) should talk to the exhibitors to make an exception.

Sarapatta Paramabrai, the Arya starrer that was a Prime premiere release . After the  OTT release , exhibitors were willing to run it till bigges came in.  Prime turned it down and now it is to have a TV premiere on Kalaignar TV. 

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