Thalaivi continues run in Chennai ; Producer already made his profit in OTT deal

 Thalaivi the Jayalaithaa biopic in Tamil Nadu is running strong in Chennai and has a lukewarm response in other areas of the State. It ahd 175 shows runing in Chennai screens. The total All India net collections so far is Rs 6 crores and 90 % of it coming from Tamil Nadu and mainly Chennai. The film has fared badly at North India as only single screens are screening it. In Tamil Nadu the theaters are running at 50% occupancy norm.

Thanks to the new business modek, Prodycer Vishnuvardhan had before the release made his profit through OTT- Satellite rights. In South it will be Amazon Prime and Netflix in North. Rajinikanth is said to have priased the film, Deepak, nephew of Jayalaithaa too liked the film. Excerpts from the interview of Producer Vishnuvardhan to SakshiPost - Vishnuvardhan says, "We got a lot of offers for direct digital release, but the film was meant for theatrical release. We got more profits than the actual investment. I'm feeling so happy that I made a straight Hindi film without any remakes. Thalaivii was very special to me and I wanted to prove myself as the best producer in Mumbai. And I did it with Thalaivii. I owe credit for film to the team. Bindra is the one who suggested that I do a biopic on Jayalaithaa and we decided to cast all pan indian stars right from Kangana to Aravind Swamy. 

Most of the people felt that Kangana was a bad choice to play the titular role in the film. But we were confident about the film. Now, all those who criticised are appreciating. I'm thrilled about it. When we thought of doing Jayalalithaa's life story as a biopic, her family members weren't happy with the idea. After watching the film, Jayalalithaa nephew Deepak called me and told us that no one could have paid a better tribute to Jayalalithaa than our attempt in Thalaivii. He is said to have thanked him for making this film. 

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.