Ajith's Valimai to get three week run post lockdown assures theaters

Ajith's Valimai will get be the first film to release post the present lockdown as per the meeting with distributors - theater owners . Producer Boney Kapoor and TN distributor Madurai Anbu has assured that Valimai which is skipping the January 14th date would never go for an OTT premiere . Exhibitors have agreed that the maximum number of screens will be given to  Anbu  when releasing and added to that a three week assured run will be given in all these screens.  It means RRR and Radhe Shyam will have to renegotiate for screens when they come with Valimai.

Anbu had asked distributors to take back the money given as advance. None wanted to take back the advance . It was informally agreed that Valimai being a straight film would get a three week window in all screens and not to compete with any Telugu films. It was alsi agreed that even if any Tamil film was complete would be asked to defer release till Valimai's three week run.

Vishal's film that is looking to release with Covid restrictions will have to do so on a commission basis. No distributor is willing to give any advance as a full lockdown too could be enforced.

Udhayanidhi Stalin to release Radhe Shyam and clash with Valimai

Udhayanidhi Stalin's Red Giant has acquired the Tamil Nadu distribution of Tamil dubbed version of Radhe Shyam starring Prabhas. It is slated for an All India release on January 14th. Hindi release is with T Series. On January 13th, Ajith starrer Valimai is releasing all over India , according to producer Boney Kapoor's tweet. Andhra/ TS and Hindi releases were added after RRR backed out from January 7th date. Only Nagarjuna film is set for Pongal release and Radhe Shyam was seen as tottering since the trade felt that it too might pull out last minute if Andhra brings in a night curfew and 50 % occupancy. Studio Green was first on board to distribute Radhe Shyam in TN but backed out after Chennai - Coimbatore, two major box office areas see Covid spike.

Red Giant has told theaters that they expect night curfews and 50 % occupancy restriction in coming week after Jan 10th. However they would go ahead with the screening as it was okay with Radhe Shyam producers and distributor RD Illuminations. Radhe Shyam has taken the stance that even if 50 % occupancy comes in Andhra, they are okay. Telangana has made it clear that there would be no restrictions for Sankranti festival. In Hindi belt too, Producers have asked T series to go ahead and release in compliance with Covid restrictions in North India regions. As long as movie halls are open, release Radhe Shyam in places where possible is the stance. OTT platforms on other hand are offering huge amounts for a premiere or for even an advanced 2 week window from release date.

Valimai TN distribution has been acquired by Madurai Anbu exhibitor- distributor and said to be close to political powers and he too is not keen to skip the release date and go with Covid restrictions as he is confident of making a kill at box office. Boney Kapoor and Zee who did no pre- publicity for Hindi release has sprung a surprise by releasing posters for Telugu and Hindi and a trailor for both language..  Vijay Deverakonda and Naga Chaitanya launched the Telugu poster of Valimai, Hindi posters are released by film's producers children, Arjun and Janhvi Kapoor. All four actors shared the posters on their respective social media handles. The telugu poster features Kartikeya Gummakonda, who is playing villain and marking debut in Tamil along with Ajith.   The Hindi trailor is brief one and features only Ajith's scenes while other two languages have more length and Huma Qureshi - Kartikeya are seen.