Pushpa 1 that rattled Bollywood streams on Amazon Prime

 

Pushpa 1 The Rise has started the sunset of the Bollywood Empire. This what every trade pundit in Mumbai is saying after the collections of Pushpa’s  Hindi dubbed version in North belt. The feeling is not an emotional one and based on Box Office facts of 2021. Pushpa has beaten Bollywood’s only blockbuster hit of 2021 – Sooryavanshi with Akshay Kumar in the lead. A South film dubbed into Hindi and with almost zero promotion in Bollywood media does the unthinkable. So if RRR and Radhe Shyam come with promotions and a visiting card called Baahubali and Saaho, what will happen in Bollywood box office ?. Entering Rs 200 crore club ( India Gross collections) for a Bollywood Star film was a cakewalk. This time only  Sooryavanshi could get into the club. See the figures – Pushpa 1 India Gross – Rs 265 crors. Sooryavanshi – Rs 196 crores and adding overseas touched Rs 293 crores.

Film industry goes for a toss when the Stars begin to fail, Just when Akshay Kumar was lauded for bringing crowds back to movie halls, consequent films began to flop miserably. Bunty aur Babli 2 ( Yash Raj production- Saif- Rani Mukherji), Satyamev Jayate 2 ( John Abraham), Antim( Salman Khan), Chandigarh --- ( Ayusshman Khurana) and lastly 63 ( Ranveer Kapoor- Katrina).

Sallu Bhai aka Salman Khan delivering two duds at Indian box office shook Bollywood. Radhe directed by Prabhudeva grossed Rs 6 lakh and said to have made money from OTT and overseas. The film was badly panned by critics and public in social media. But Antim released went on to give paltry Rs 40 crores in Indian market.

As critics put Covid and film being docu- drama as reason for 83 to be flop, they failed to notice that Tadap with Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan making his debut had recovered the cost and made modest profit. What went unnoticed was that it was Telugu film RX 100 remake.

As Pushpa got over squabbling between Goldmine who had the Hindi dubbed rights and producer over movie hall release and finally AA coming on board, it was seen as yet another Telugu film dubbed that would be seen on YouTube Channel and not for theaters. Those who saw the film trailor on YouTube started to come from evening shows and rest is history. Fact that numbers are coming from Maharashtra – Gujarat which contributed to Sooryavanshi is what is disturbing to Bollywood.

One reason given by a Trade critic is that Bollywood moved away from subjects that appealed to non-metros and this vacuum has been filled by Pushpa. Yet another reason is that many say is word of mouth power that has beaten the orchestrated Bollywood PR network. One section is happy that an Allu Arjun who is out of the nepotism circle of Bollywood has beaten these guys and see it as a reaction of Hindi movie goers who after death of Sushanth Singh is disgusted with these lobby.

Amazon is streaming the film today evening and they are happy lot. The film is still in theaters and with the tag of a blockbuster hit, it feels lucky to have sealed the deal much before the film was released or else …

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Breaking News : Radhe Shyam pulls out - Valimai to follow ?

Radhe Shyam producers UV creations has officially announced that due to Covid 19, there will be no release on Jan 14th all over India. US distributors were informed of this before hand. Now as Tamil Nadu Government official heads are in a meeting with TN CM Stalin . post Jan 10th restrictions will be made public. Till yesterday, Health officials were of the view that no total lockdown is needed as five day Pongal festivities was the time when retail biz saw a boom and instead strict enforcement of wearing masks and restrictions on customers entering malls and shops be enforced. Night curfew time be changed from 12 midnight to 7 PM - 5 AM was another suggestion. Schools till Std 8th are closed. Now classes from 9th - 12th and colleges might be shut.

With doubling of cases in Chennai and Coimbatore, total lockdown might come in. Health secretary was quoted saying that merchants were not implementing Covid restrictions and nor the citizens. In view of this places like cinema halls would  turn into clusters/ Valimai release would trigger a mass rush due to Ajith's fans who have been waiting for this film since the start of Covid first wave. Controlling them would be near impossible, especially in single screens in rural areas. Unlike Radhe Shyam, Valimai cost can be recovered from Tamil Nadu theatrical and profit from OTT- digital dubbing rights- satellite. All eyes are on Stalin ministry's future move.

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.

Tamil anthology Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa on Amazon Prime Jan 14th

Amazon Prime Video  unveiled the trailer of its upcoming Tamil series Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa…. The 5-episode anthology is centered around stories of hope, resilience and human spirit in the face of adversity that grabbed the nation in the second phase of the pandemic. Helmed by 5 different directors, each story of Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa… offers distinctive voice and style of filmmaking along with a star-studded cast. The Amazon Original series is to launch on 14 January on Prime Video in India and more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

 

Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa… has been developed as 5 stand-alone episodes woven together by the commonality of the constraints and challenges faced by the characters in the second lockdown of the COVID pandemic. Each story - Mugakavasa Mutham, Loners, Mouname Paarvayaai, Nizhal Tharum Idham, The Mask - beautifully communicates the spirit of resilience and melancholy but with a glimmer of hope, looking towards a new dawn. he stories feature Aishwarya Lekshmi, Arjun Das, Dhilip Subbarayan, Gouri G Kishan, Joju George, Lijomol Jose, Nadiya Moidu, Nirmal Pillai, Sananth, and TeeJay Arunasalam, and are directed by Balaji Mohan, Halitha Shameem, Madhumita, Richard Anthony and Surya Krishna

RRR new release dates and OTT deal in talks

RRR the Pan Indian movie that dropped out of Sankranti season is likely to have a January 26th  release in Andhar/ Telangana  and South. For the Hindi version, RRR might get a OTT release as major players have bid huge amounts ranging from Rs 250 crores if premiered, said a trade source. On Jan 10th, if TN CM Stalin decides to continue with 50% occupancy in coming days, RRR will get a release in Tamil Nadu and pave way for Kerala- Karnataka opening too.

Sources say that a deal has been struck with Jagan ministry to allow  smooth release of  RRR in Andhra after Sankranti and even get a special order to charge special ticket prices for first two weeks of release. This deal has been worked out by noted producer Dil Raju .  DVV , producer of RRR is from the Reddy caste and it too has played a role in Jagan Reddy to soften the stance. Jagan is not keen on appearing as anti Jr. NTR ( one of the leads of RRR) after Balakrishna's Akhanda went to be a big hit in Andhra. Jr NTR reaction to spat between Chandrababu Naidu and YSR MLA over an insult to the former's wife has been diplomatic and unlike Balakrishna . 

Jagan is said to have told Tollywood leaders that he was only anti Pawan as the latter's political party  was politically in alliance with BJP and it had nothing to do with cinema. However now Pawan is dragging in Tollywood and seeing no response has resorted to give it a communal colour as Reddy ( Jagan's caste) v/s others. Jagan is not keen to see a caste consolidation take place on initiative by Pawan a Kapu and with  Kamma caste ( Balakrishna - Jr NTR) backing. Kapu Pawan Kalyan's party has often clashed with Kamma caste members of Jr NTR fan clubs and some have been fatal. A joining of these forces could spell trouble for a Reddy  CM. To appease Jagan, Tollywood has started to isolate Pawan and seeing this Chiranjeevi has openly declared his support to his brother Pawan.

Jagan is not favourably inclined to Chiranjeevi family who belong to Kapu caste and hence made a mess of the Pushpa box office in Andhra through raids on movie halls. The first attack was by Pawan Kalyan , brother of Chiranjeevi on Jagan for being anti- cinema. Tollywood distanced from Pawan's attack as they did not want any trouble with Jagan. Now in a latest news , Chiranjeevi has openly stated his support to Pawan. Chiranjeevi, while speaking during ‘Chiranjeevi Oxygen Bank’ event, appreciated Pawan Kalyan for fighting for justice and advocating for integrity. Chiranjeevi said that integrity, honesty and restraint will bring success ultimately. Chiranjeevi also said that he would also fight for the same justice in due course. He said that the response from the fans is his strength.

RRR would get the desired concessions as per the deal but not Pawan;s Bhemmala Nayak. RRR producers are told that if Jagan stops his interference,  60 % of the cost can be recovered from Andhra alone. If Andhra release is okayed then other  South States too would start screening from Jan 25th, if respective Governments permit. Only prices that were bought at would be scaled down in other States.

Mumbai trade says that distributor Gada would be compensated by proceeds from Hindi premiere on OTT platform and likely to be Netflix. South languages are to go to  Zee 5. Even Overseas buyers feel that Jan 26th is not too late as things have not moved to a lockdown in key markets like US- UK - EU.  Trade is waiting for the salvage operation to succeed .

Bigg Boss Abhinay - wife Aparna split over Paavni ?

Bigg Boss 5 Tamil contestant Abhinay Vaddi recently voted out by viewers and his wife Aparna are heading for a split is the buzz. Talk surfaced after Abhinay's wife Aparna dropped his name from her Instagram Account and reverted back to her maiden name.  When Abhinay- Paavni, co contestants in the reality show was accussed of having a romantice realtionship, Aparna defended him through her post saying that she knew him better than anybody. Reason could be that Aparna thinks that there is truth in  Abhinay's `friendship' with co contestant Paavni inside the house that was seen by co housemates as more than friendship and Paavni herself saying that Abhinay had more than friendship  towards to her and she was uncomfortable with the situation.

Paavni is a TV actress and a widow. Her hubby committed suicide and at that time it was said that he took the step as he felt that his wife was cheating on him. Paavni inside the Bigg Boss 5 said that it was a surprise decision as they had only a minor argument and hinted that it could be the drunken state that led to her hubby to commit suicide.  She was till then working in Telugu serials at Hyderabad and moved over to Chennai and started working in Star Vijay - Asianet serials in  Tamil- Malayalam..

Abhinay was seen as a soft guy liked by all female contestants in Bigg Boss. It was Raju one of the contestant who burst the bubble by asking if there anything going on between Paavni and Abhinay. There was reactions like that the allegation was irresponsible and made without thinking about Abhinay's  life outside the Bigg Boss house as he was a married man. Till date, Raju and Paavni are bitter foes inside the house.

Later as events unfolded, Paavni admitted that Abhinay was giving her more than needed attention and care and she had told him not to do so as it was making her uncomfortable and  went on to add that despite this he continued to do so. She further revealed that Abhinay had given a letter to her in private. Abhinay defended saying that his genuine concern to Paavni was misjudged. His defense was that as Paavni's close friends in the show were  voted out and she was alone, he offered her a shoulder to cry on. Within a fortnight, Abhinay was voted out. In his farewell speech ,to contestants, he looked longingly at Paavni and what he said was not shown.

Outside Abhinay was posting photos of himself with other evicted housemates. After host Kamal Hassan intervention, the ` friendship' issue was a taboo talk but till today the talk about it surfaces. Reason being that in retrospect, housemates felt that Abhinay was made a scapegoat and led up the garden path by Paavni. We too reported on this see link :

Wild card entry Aamir a choreographer started wooing Paavni and after advise from all round, Aamir started keeping his distance from Paavni. Now Paavni in social media is seen as a home breaker. 

Abhinay is grandson of Gemini Ganesan- Savithiri and an upcoming actor. His prolonged continuation inside the House was subject of trolls as he was a meek person and unfit to be in show. Many felt that his family links was keeping him in the show. His father Govind Rao is a Film Producer and mother Vijaya Chamundeswari is a Home maker and he has one brother named Arun Kumar. Abhinay’s Wife is a Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur.

RRR postponement fall out - Will Valimai fill the vacuum ?

 

RRR postponement  news has created  many repercussions in the trade especially in South India.  In USA, thousands of tickets sold has to be refunded. Producers of Telugu films who shifted their releases due to request from RRR producer and director feel that they were left and high and dry and are now scrambling to fill the vacuum. All eyes are on Madurai Anbu as to whether he would advance the release date and fill it with Valimai on Jan 7th.

Close to Rs 20 crores was spent on promotions in all South States and Mumbai. This is a washout. Distributors who bought the film in the South are unhappy as the decision was taken after listening to North distributor Gada. They feel that with 50% occupancy they could have recovered the money within a week ( Jan 7- Jan 13) after which Ajith's Valimai is released. In TamilNadu there is no strict compliance of 50 % slab in single screens a majority in the State.

AP Government allowed theaters that were closed to reopen with certain riders. Telangana had permitted hike in ticket rates. Producers of Telugu films Bheemla Nayak to F3 and Sarkaru Vaari Paata which has only AP./ TS markets  as primary source of income feel that they should not have backed out. Now efforts are on to see if any one of these can come on Jan 7. Two of these films have pending work and did not complete it as release was postponed. If none of these comes, Bangarraju of Nagarjuna- Nag Chaitanya is ready to hit the theaters. It would be a big let down for Telugu film trade this Sankaranthi.. No news has come from radhe Shyam producers yet. It is to open in South and North markets on Jan 14th.

Due to massive expectation for RRR in USA markets, other regions with Indian population , ticket sales has touched $3 million and still is going on. Two type of prints for USA was planned.- one the usual Dolby version and another for select theaters using  a different equipment to screen. Sarigama Cinemas and Raftar Creations are releasing the movie in the United States. The bookings in the United States will begin from December 17th, three weeks before the release of the film. They had booked the advertising space at the famous Times Square in New York City from December 17th to 23rd to extensively promote the film. This is the first time a Telugu movie was advertised at the Times Square for so long. US distributors might have to refund close to Rs 10 crores, says a distributor.