Valimai distributors want Ajith special promo video after preview ?

 As Valimai release date nears ( Feb 25th), distributors and theater owners have asked Madurai Anbu to get a special promo video featuring Ajith speaking directly to audience. This comes after a few leading film distributors saw Valimai at a special screening in Chennai.

One reason cited is that the marketing of  Vijay's Beast Arabic Kuthu song by Sun TV and director Nelson. The first video as teaser with Vijay's voice and later  the song- dance itself has created a hype that has gone beyond the expected reach. A video with  Ajith himself speaking directly to the camera with a behind the scenes shots should do the trick feel the Valimai buyers. Also no song ( at least one) by now has gone viral.

As expected Ajith has said a NO. His argument is that a film will run on merit and not on fan hysteria and he has never catered to fan clubs or that culture. The insecurity or fear that  gripped theater owners after Vijay Beast kuthu song is misplaced says trade analysts. The high stakes running is one reason for the fear ast hey cannot afford any little drop in collections .

There is a talk that  it has only bike stunts- guns , the film has nothing much to offer to an audience that looks beyond Star Ajith or  Thala Ajith. Boney Kapoor sold AP/ TS for Rs4 crores but now he has to settle for half the price - Pawan Kalyan - Rana 's Bheema Nayakalu is coming on same day. In Hindi, he knows that Valimai would get little as hyped up Gangubhai would be first choice.

A few making of Valimai scenes are being put together to increase the hype of the film and keep the tempo for next four days. Boney got daughter Jhanvi to promote on social media and hopes to get more like Ajay Devgn - Udhaynidhi  Stalin to join.as they have done films for him. Any way trade is not worried as there is a safety net - Boney - Ajith's third venture that starts on March 9th at Hyderabad. Boney tells Pinkvilla that there would be a fourth too.

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.

Update :Rajamouli v/s Boney Kapoor- Ajith's Valimai v/s Prabhas Radhe Shyam

 

 Boney Kapoor, producer of Ajith starrer Valimai by pitting his film against Prabhas- Pooja Hegde ‘s Radhe Shyam for Pongal 2022 January is said to be getting back at Rajamouli and the Telugu filmdom. He was peeved at the way Baahubali director Rajamouli announced  RRR release date on the same day that his film Maidaan with Ajay Devgn was to be released. No Tollywood trade leader or any biggie bothered to mediate on behalf of Boney, said a source.

Trade circles say that Boney by releasing Valimai for Pongal had ensured that Radhe Shyam would not get enough screens in Tamil Nadu. He also got Rahul of Romeo Pictures and distributor- exhibitor biggie Madurai Anbu of Gopuram films to be distributor of the film. Anbu has a stranglehold on the Kollywood trade.

Trade circles point out that Valimai’s business in Andhra/ TS was not as huge as Prabhas film would do in Tamil Nadu. By cutting Radhe Shyam to size, Boney was getting back at Tollywood. He was peeved that no body bothered to bring about a truce between him and RRR team.

However, battle royale will take place in North Indian markets. T series, producers of Radhe Shyam would checkmate Valimai. Boney ,says a source, has agreed to give Zee 5 , an earlier than four week window to telecast Hindi dubbed version and compensate the loss that he would incur in North Indian markets. A model that Thalaivi followed with Netflix.

There was speculation that Valimai will clash with Annaatthe of Rajini for Diwali. Later it was said that Thalapathy Vijay’s Beast would clash with Valimai for Pongal. Promo of Radhe Shyam tells us that like the love story of star crossed lovers- Romeo- Juliet, Heer Ranjha, the film too is about such a alove story. The love story starts on a taain ride in Italy. Melodious beats scored by composer Justin Prabhakaran, who last year delivered a blockbuster music album, Dear Comrade.