Kamal Haasan egged Urvashi to commit suicide - Akshay flop film better than Kalki on OTT

Urvashi recently revealed her conversation with Kamal Haasan about her thinking about committing suicide. She told Kamal that what she thought was her dearest in life was no more her's and wanted to commit suicide. A cool Kamal lauded her and said that as she was a lady with lots of courage and guts, she could do it. He said that she should also think about her any committments that she has towards film producers. He also told her for two days people will talk about her death and after that she will be forgotten. Urvashi who expected a consoling talk was shocked. After that she changed her mind. This pep talk led to us seeing Urvashi win the Kerala State award forbest actress and that too for 7 time.

ur OTT trade source tells us that when it comes to South movies dubbed into Hindi and boast of a viewership that is more than that of a straight flop Hindi movie,on OTT the viewership is dismal. Take the case of Kalki Hindi. In North India it collected Rs 227 crores. In contrast Akshay kumar flop Chote Miyan Bade Miyan collected Rs 59 crores only and the budget was Rs 350 crores. We are told that Producer Bhagnani sold his office to repay the debut. Now let us how both performed on Netflix. Kalki Hindi got off to flying start with 4.5 million views and by third week the views were only 900 k. At same time the third week viewership was 1.6 million. Now going by yardstick that OTT pays as per box office figures, it paid Rs 175 crores to Kalki producer. Another reason is that films like Kalki that ae big screen experience get theatre audience and not others. A eight week window for OTT release asked by multiplex chain in North India is too not helping. But again films like Stree 2 run at box office is said to be because the film will not come on OTT for 2 months after theatre release and word of mouth positive talk helped. So on OTT platform, is Akshay a bigger draw than Prabhas ?. Aamir Khan says that a great chunk of audience wait out for the film to come on OTT and so he is not going to sell his film to OTT. Now yet another fallout is that TV channels are offering ery poor money for telecast for films that have already coming on OTT. The Tv viewership drops by halg when a film that is streaming on OTT is telecast. So now a Producer is caught in a fix. He has to clinch an OTT- TV deal in ne go. Those OTT that are part of TV channels sensing this drive a hard bargain with Producers. Tollywood films that have bombed in theatres are coming in a four week or in some cases in 2 week gap. In Mollywood many small budgeted films do not figure in major OTT platforms and find their way to other localized OTT platforms where it is screened on sharing of revenue got from pay per view. A uniform 8 week windown for all South films could be a better alternative, some feel. Now South films dubbed in Hindi and not adhering to 8 week window are not screened by national chains in North India.

Tollywood Family driven Czars deny Prabhas his CROWN - REAL TRUTH OUT

Why is Tollywood Czars denying Prabhas his due ? Prabhas only link to Tollywood before became an actor was that his Uncle was Krishnam Raju. Now the Banjara Hills Family driven Tollywood biz and myths that they have built is falling apart. So start a whisper campaign and make it look ggeninue. The other day, I was told by a well-informed trade tracker in Hyderabad about Kalki box office. His contention was that Kalki is a hit outside India and within India and especially for AP and TS distributors, it is a flop. I for one knew that in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the buyers made their money and so I asked him how he arrived at this figure. He said that the distributors who bought Kalki themselves had given the numbers. Among the ones who gave the numbers was a `gentleman’ who comes from a family of Stars – studios and theatres. Now from a tracker in Mumbai, I get these figures. North Indian box office collections have made South films a Pan Indian hit and this includes Bahubaali – RRR and Pushpa. Now let me give you the figures. In India, the Hindi version alone is eyeing to enter the 300 crore club. On 5th Saturday,, it witnessed an unbelievable jump of 163.15% as the collection went from 76 lakh (fifth Friday) to 2 crores (fifth Saturday), taking the estimated collection to 284.05 crores net (31 days). Including taxes, the gross domestic collection stands at 335.17 crores. This what Sacnik reports and does not include overseas collections of Hindi. • After 32 days, Kalki Telugu Nett stands at Rs 281 .81 cr and like in Hindi there is a big jump on weekends with last one getting Rs 1.38 cr. So much for a FLOP film. Now for other languages ; Tamil – 35.30 crores • Malayalam – 24 crores • Kannada – 5.25 crores This feat has not been achieved by any Telugu STAR in Bollywood and Prabhas has shown with Bahubaali , Salaar and even Saaho that Hindi belt is strongly with him. So next best is to say that he is a flop in AP and TS and why? The distributors did not recover the investment as the film was over priced. So even Rs Rs 281 cr net has not made distributors happy ? So what are the prices that each territory in these two States sold for ? Till August 15th, there is no threat to Kalki in North and it might beat Jawan collections. It seems a comedy- horror film film Rajasaab of Prabhas directed by Maruti and KGF Yash Bhai Toxic directed by Geetu Mohandas are releasing on April 10th next year. Both are not big budgeted films like what these Stars had before.

Indian 2 advance bookings dull - Mythiri back with Thalapathy - Nassar and Bigg Boss Raju news

Our own Nassar is once again teamed up with S S Rajamouli for Mahesh Babu film. He like in Baahubali, RRR , will be the dialect tutor for Mahesh Babu. He is so fluent in Telugu and Tamil, that his efforts paid off in Baahubali and RRR, where he coached Prabhas and later NTR Jr and Ram Charan.

If you cannot produce a film with Thalapathy, the next best to do is buy the distribution rights. Mythiri movie makers has acquired the two Telugu States rights of G O A T as per trade and for a staggering Rs 30 crores. Mythiri is the producer of Ajith’s Good Bad and Ugly. They have sequel to Pushpa The Rise under production. Now that Thalapathy’s last film producer has not been announced officially, will it be Mythiri ?. Indian 2 telugu has been sold for Rs 25 crores.

The overseas advance bookings for Indian 2 has started and in single screens across India. Our trackers say that on Day one the film in North America sold $350 thousand tickets. Even before official advance release, the film premiere shoed in 640 locations in USA for Rs 54 lakhs. After official bookings started, $ 640 worth tickets were sold. Vijay’s Leo opened to $8 milion. Within four days, Indian 2 may touch $ 3 mllion is the best that one can hope for!. Now Indian 2 word of mouth positive talk can stop Kalki from touching Rs 1000 crore as it will hit collections mainly in Hindi belt where it is gaining fay by day. Similarly , if Sarfira of Akshay get a positive public feedback, it will cut Hindustani 2 run in Hindi. Kamal said that like a vendor on the street he is marketing his film to tell people about its merits. Meanwhile Gold Mines is releasing on YouTube the dubbed Hindi version of Sooru Potturu on same day Sarfira is releasing. Shehzada film makers paid crores to GoldMines to stop release of original film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo

Bigg Boss fame actor Raju, who is making his debut as the lead, has Bun Butter Jam releasing soon. The makers of the film unveiled the first look toda

Kamal hosted drug parties - Anti Rajini speech writer in Coolie - Kalki update

BJP has called for a probe into Singer Suchithra’s allegation that cocaine is served in silver plate as welcome gesture to guests invited to Kamal Haasan hosted parties. This charge was made by the singer in an interview to leading Tamil magazine Kumudam’s YouTube Channel. Paviylvan Ranganathan a journalist had launched a frontal attack on Suchithra. Earlier we has reported that Suchithra had alleged that her ex hubby and standup comedian Kartik Kumar and actor Dhanush and G V Prakash are gays. We are told that two trailors of Indian 2 and third part are ready for release it in June. As per plans the third part trailor will be screened along with Indian 2. Indian 2 is coming on July 12th. Lokesh Kanagaraj has titled the short film on his cinematic universe as Pillaiyar Suzhi (Beginning in English). We hear that the short film will be released by Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan on their X handle. The Director and writer Rathna Kumar were clicked at Sabarimala temple, a few days ago. This photo has sparked a discussion among Thalaivar fans. Rathna Kumar at Leo function took a dig at Rajinikanth and since then has been away from social media. Though Rajinikanth and Vijay played down the speech, fans are still angry with thr writer. The coming together of Lokesh and Rathna for Rajini’s next film Coolie has been confirmed by the photo. Reports said that Lokesh had dropped Rathna Kumar for Coolie nut now it seems a rumour.

On June 27 Kalki 2898 AD is releasing worldwide. Promotions in all South Indian cities will kickstart from May end in Ramoji Rao City Hyderabad. As there is Prithviraj and Kamal Haasan, the promo function will have massive response in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The film which is slated to release on June 27 is said to have an animated prelude which is aimed at offering viewers a sneak peek into the intricate world of director Nag Ashwin’s sci-fi drama. What is even more exciting is that the lead actor Prabhas has lent his voice to the animated character. This will be released on OTT and the actual film will pick up from where the animated series leaves it at. The film is said to have one of the highest budgets any Indian film has ever had which is around 500 crores. ( source FilmFare.cim)

Dhanush Rayaan to take Indian 2 release date - Why ?

As Kalki producers announced the release date ( June 27), we learn that Lyca is shifting Indian 2 from June 13th. To top it, Sun Pictures is coming on that date with Dhanush Rayaan starring Dhanush and also directed by him. Main reason for Indian 2 to shift is that Director Shankar has said that a crucial song situation has to be shot in Indian 2 and that it has a link to the third part. Shankar is involved with Game Changer and the song will not be shot before June. Knowing this, Kamal Haasan allotted the dates to Thug Life. This is what we learn. Yet another reason is that Kalki and Indian 2 release dates have only two weeks gap and both are All India release and have Kamal Haasan. Kamal on his part has clarified that in Kalki first part he has limited role and in the entire film the role is a cameo. This is to not crate an overhype about his role especially in South India. However, producers of Indian 2 are not willing to take any chances as they want a clear route and hoping for a 2.0 kind of release and create a box office record and pave way for the sure fire third part. One reason for release postponement is that the third part which is fully ready , needs to be released within three months after second part. Both parts will release in 2024 itself. Sun Pictures has planned Rayaan to come out in Tamil- Telugu and Hindi simultaneously and A R Rahman who has worked with Dhanush in Raanjhanaa (2013), Maryan (2013), and Atrangi Re (2021) ( wikipedia)teams up for fourth time. As it is the 50th film of Dhanush, the hype in Tamil and Telugu film industry will be high. In fact, there were reports that Indian 2 and Rayaan will clash in June and that Sun Pictures backed out. Lyca officially had not announced Indian 2 release date and only the month. Lyca has planned the first part re- release just one month before the second part in a grand way. Reason being that the first part was released three decades ago.

Dulquer - Ravi back - Sruthi Haasan and Kamal in Thalaivar 171

Latest buzz is that Thug Life is starting shoot on April 20th. Guess What? Dulquer and Jeyam Ravi are back in the cast and it seems STR will also be part of the film. Dulquer and Ravi projects had a delay and the dates were available and Mani Ratnam has made use of it. Now we may think that STR might be having a cameo but it is not so. He comes in two different makeovers in the film. From Thug Life we move to Kalki where Kamal plays the baddie. This Prabhas film has collected Rs 200 crores as advance from two Telugu States. This amount is what a Rajamouli film can dp. The distributors have to get back their investment as well share after paying GST. This means a gross of Rs 400 crores. Prabhas Salaar distributor share was Rs 147 crores. Producers are confident as the risk is on them and they will have to pay back the shortfall, In overseas too the film instead of being sold outright has been given on advance basis. Yet another Kamal linked news is that Lokesh who is directing Thalaivar 171 has got Sruthi Haasan in the to be release first look video. Is she acting in the film? Is it a favour done for Lokesh appearing in her music video?. Let’s wait. Another report is that Kamal has given the intro to the title revealing video. Already reports say that Sathyaraj is playing the baddie. But our source says that Ranveer Singh had taken part in the first look shoot. We has reported about this possibility. It looks probable as our friends who attended Shankar’s daughter vmarriage says that Ranveer was seen shaking a leg at the wedding. Rajanikanth, Kamal, Suriya, Karthi and Vikram were those our friends saw. Incidentally Ranveer dancing partner was Shankar’s daughter Aditi.

Ponniyin Selvan to clash with Mission Impossible globally

 Mani Ratnam Ponniyin Selvam magnum opus has locked September 30th as release date in the latest communication from Madras Talkies. It means that the production house will be pitted against the popular series Mission Impossible which according to production house Paramount Pictures who are distributing it is releasing on the same date.. 

Madras Talkies released a first set of photos that reveal the characters of the main actors who are in the film. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Vikram, Trisha, Jeyam Ravi and Karthi are the actors whose stills in the costumes of the characters they play has been released. The first part of the classic novel has been readied and Lyca Productions are the Worldwide distributors.

The novel of Kalki is very close to the hearts of Tamil culture and  and has all elements  for a successful film. Right from MGR onwards, many effort were made to recreate the magic onto celluloid . Now with Mani Ratnam who is the icon of Tamil cinema handling the subject, expectations run very high . The large diaspora of India  is awaiting the release.. In India, September 30 is followed by ten day Navaratri festival known in South as pooja holidays.

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Getting theaters globally and within India in large numbers would be a problem. In Bollywood, only film to release is Hindi remake of Vikram Vedha the Tamil film. However on September 9th is Brahmastra with  Ranvir Kapoor - Alia Bhatt and produced by Karan Johar. It is a superhero film about a guy going  3000 years back to learn about the Brahmastra weapon of Lord Shiva.

Madras Talkies commination : 

PS-1 is the first part of a two-part multilingual film based on Kalki’s classic Tamil novel “Ponniyin Selvan" directed by Mani Ratnam and jointly produced by Lyca Productions and Madras Talkies.

The story is set in the 10th century during a tumultuous time in the Chola Empire when the power struggle between different branches of the ruling family caused violent rifts between the potential successors to the reigning emperor. It is adventure story where brave soldiers, cunning spies and evil schemers all try to win the empire for themselves. A civil war becomes imminent until the scores can be settled.

All this political and military turmoil leads to the Cholas becoming the most prosperous and powerful empire in the continent and one of the most successful and long reigning in history. PS-1 marks the beginning of the Golden Era.

PS-1 is set to come on the big screens on September 30th, 2022.

Cast List
 
Vikram
Jayam Ravi
Karthi
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Trisha
Aishwarya Lekshmi
Sobhita Dhulipala
Prabhu
Sarath Kumar
Jayaram
Prakash Raj
Jayachitra
Rahman
Vikram Prabhu
Ashwin Kakumanu
Lal
Parthiban
Riyaz Khan

Crew List

Director - Mani Ratnam
Produced By - Madras Talkies
Produced By - Lyca Productions
Music - AR Rahman
Cinematographer - Ravi Varman
Production Design - Thota Tharrani
Dialogues - Jeyamohan
Executive Producer - Siva Ananth
Choreography - Brinda
Costume - Eka Lakhani
HMU - Vikram Gaikwad
Jewellery - KishanDas Jewellery
VFX - NYVFXWaala
DI - Red Chillies Color
PRO: Johnson
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OTT Platform - Prime Video In