Shakeela comes before Thalapathy Vijay to save theaters

 

Shakeela ,the biopic of  ex soft porn Queen,  will release on  Christmas  and hopefully bring cheer to  the theaters in Tamil Nadu . Despite  releases that hit Tamil Nadu theaters in the past two Fridays, none has been able to bring in crowds that would fill the 50 % occupancy. Even the adult movie Irandam Kuthu failed miserably. As decks are cleared for Thalapathy Vijay’s Master release on January 13^th, the new arrival SHAKEELA will probably bring cheer.

Shakeela was one time the savior of many a producer who lost  money on Star oriented films in Malayalam . The success formula was to use the voluptopus  Shakeela  in a film made within a fortnight and have it dubbed into all known Indian languages. Sell it for double the investment. Make bonus money for giving scenes that were cut by censors. At one point the films of Mohanlal and Mammooty kept on flopping and Shakeela films were hits. Many producers floated benami firms to make films with Shakeela.

The Shakeela wave had many vamps join the bandwagon and some of them did well. What amazed the pundits was that an obese woman could capture the audience imagination , especially the Kerala viewers. Many even did psychological studies on the Kerala men’s attraction to obese woman.  A film Player Girls had two sex bombs- Silk Smitha and Shakeela. Shakeela was then only an upcoming siren and not as famous as Silk. In a scene where Shakeela has to cry after getting slapped by Silk, the latter slapped her really and very hard. Reason that Silk gave was that Shakeela was new to acting and would not have cried naturally and so the real slap. Vidya Balan played Silk in the biopic on her titled Dirty Picture.

Though Shakeela claimed that Superstars lobby used the cops to bust her unbridled run by cracking on theaters showing uncensored `bits’ , the reason was that the fancy of the sex Queen was waning. The bits no more featured the central character and instead had only some junior actors instead. Initially these soft porn movies had so many situations in the plot to bring in sexual scenes. Over a period, the directors got the feeling that mere name of Shakeela was enough to pull in crowds.

The name Shakeela is still connected with soft porn, at least in Kerala. A film was made on a story line of a girl with  name Shakeela facing problems in the public even today and still refusing to change her name. In Chennai there were some theaters that were associated with Shakeela films. These theaters were those on B list and hence could not get any Star film to release simultaneously with A center theaters. These cinema halls managed to keep the house full with Shakeela films.

A Telugu film claiming to be a biopic of Shakeela was released on OTT. We have a film Jangal me Mangal directed by Munggi based on Shakeela. The film Kacchi Jawani with Richa Chaddha in the role of the sex bomb is said to be given the official nod by Shakeela herself. Directed by Indrajit Lankesh and released by UFO will hit screens in the new title SHAKEELA.

Shakeela is currently part of a cooking reality show Cook with Comali   on Star Vijay.

update ; MASTER Release on Jan 13 - Widest release for any Tamil film so far

 Thalapathy Vijay’s Master will release on January 13  and create history by being the first Tamil film to have the maximum number of screens in the State .The distributors and exhibitors agreed to the conditions set by Seven Screen studios who bought the exhibition rights. The exhibitor lobby had gone in to a huddle after channels reported that OTT platform had put forth a lucrative price for Master.

Sources said that those who had paid MG (advance paid to producer and not refundable) was asking that they be paid interest on the money advanced as the release date keeps on moving further and no end in sight. On the other hand the company also has borrowed from the market. The pandemic had upset the calculation.

The entire cast and crew has been paid in full by Seven Screen studios who acquired the rights from XB Film Creators of Brito, the official co-producer and uncle of the film’s hero Vijay. Brito is said to have pocketed close to Rs 25 cr. Seven Screen has other big budget films too lined up and in various stages of production.

The OTT Amazon Prime has paid close to Rs 60 cr for digital rights. Theatrical business so far done is in the range of Rs 120 crores. Amazon was willing to go in for more money if it was allowed to release by year end or mid January. The success of Soorarai Pottru and Mookuthi Amman which has given three fold returns on investment for OTT has raised the price. 40 million views for Master teaser on YouTube is another factor.

No interest on money given – 80%  theatre collection share for distributors in first week and 60 % in second week. MG terms as it is. These terms have to be agreed. Single screen and multiplexes that are not part of national chain have agreed. Now the ball is in the national chain of multiplexes court.

XB Film Creators' statement is as follows: "As we continue to battle the pandemic, we hope you are all safe and doing fine. We understand and can feel the amount of excitement among the audience to celebrate our #Master in theatres. We await the Big Day to come, as much as you do. With lot of rumours surfacing in the past few days, we would like to clarify our stand on it. Though we have an offer from a reputed OTT service provider, we prefer to the theatrical release, which is the need of the hour for the industry to survive the on-going crisis. We also request the theatre owners to stand with us and provide their support for reviving the Tamil Film Industry. We hope to reach out to you soon, with the good news. Stay safe."

Atlee's Andhagaaram is a pain - Vetri Maaran makes right choice with Kaval thurai Ungal nanban

 

Priya Atlee ,wife of hot shot box office hitmaker  Atlee ( to direct Shah Rukh Khan ) is producer of Andhagaaram released on Netflix and Vetri Maaran, a director whose films tackle issues that plague the society in a  way that appeals to the layman,   is producer of Kaval thurai ungal nanban to hit cinemas this Friday..  Priya has backed a film that is a torture to sit through, while Maaran’s choice  does not disappoint.  Contrary to the title Kaval ungal nanban title , the film shows that  the police force  are no friends of the public. While Andhagaaram boasts of some of the best technical talents behind the scenes and actors like Arjun Das and Vinoth along with Kumar Natarajan and Pooja Ramachandran who have given power house performances, director Vignarajan makes full use of a lavish budget that he got for his first film in perfecting the visuals and technical aspects . He takes his own sweet time to unfold the story and in the process makes the viewer loses his patience.

Andhagaaram released on OTT gives the viewer the chance to grab the remote and look for something more interesting. Almost two hours of the three hours  viewing, you are still  left blind. As you see the climax unfold, then you curse the director for all the unnecessary padding up of the movie. You get the feeling that the director was on a trip to impress you with all the knowledge that he has about ingredients that gives it  a Hollywood like movie and had no intention to entertain you or thought that your time was valuable.

Wonder what  Priya (who according to her hubby sits with him from narration of a subject to a hero onwards) saw in putting her name to it. True to Vetri Maaran style, the film Kaval… is a expose of how the Inspector level dealing  towards a young couple who has no connections and thinks that posts on Twitter will bring in the righteous pouring in support. Though there is a clichéd romance etc, the director builds up the tempo. As story unfolds, you get the feeling that the young boy is asking for serious trouble and it does happen. The climax too leaves you amazed.  The film is basically a play between Suresh Ravi and Mime Gopi and the strength lies in the acting of the latter. Raveena does her part convincingly. A film  worth seeing and good that it is coming in the theaters.

BJP ignores Rajini - DMK man wins Producers election- Adult comedy rakes money

 

After the death of Jayalalithaa, it was expected that Modi- Amit combo will woo Rajinikanth for an alliance. Disappointing the media, Amit Shah on his visit to Chennai, did not visit Poes Garden. Instead the TN CM and deputy called on Shah at his room in Hotel Leela. This signals that BJP no more thinks that Rajini is bankable. Theanandal films Murali won the Tamil Film Producers Council by a handsome majority. It signaled that the filmdom was banking on DMK to come to power as the winner is a DMK hardcore follower as well as patronized by Sun TV. His proximity to Actor Vijay and with big production houses is known.

When Jayalalitha was alive, Modi on his Chennai visit made it a point to visit her. It was a brother- sister meeting. Now after her death, it was expected that Rajinikanth’s house in the neighbourhood would be a must visit for any top brass of saffron party. Modi had called on the actor during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. As Rajini was dilly dallying over his political entry and his seemingly pro BJP utterances, Amit Shah was expected to  call on him. This visit could have kept Rajininism alive as majority believe that he will be a no show . However, Shah kept off and disappointed followers  of Rajinism.. Now with this no show of Shah , the message has come out that Rajini’s political party will be not a player in the State polls coming in May. So it means that the Superstar is going to take rest. He has already told Sun TV, producer of Annathe, that he will complete the film only after the vaccine is given to entire crew and he too had the dosage.

The box office results of Tamil films released after lifting restrictions show Irandam Kutthu , an adult comedy film badly butchered by censors, gave the producer- actor- director Jayakumar, a modest Rs 3cr profit even before release. The exhibitors seemed to have not recovered the advance to distributor. The producer who announced a sequel might compensate the loss.

Comedian Santhanam’s  Biskoth was a loss to the producer- distributor. Marijuana, a third film to release went up in smoke on day one. With no crowds, a cyclone warning, theaters downed shutters from Monday. Mookuthi Amman has made the OTT platform happy as it garnered good views. A few non Star films are waiting to come on Friday. Theaters advertised of 50% discounts for eatables from the stalls as an incentive.

On the shooting front, Ajith’s Valimai is progressing. Vijay Sethupathi- Shruti Haasan film Laabam completed the shoot. Only TV serial shoots are going on . Some films that aim for OTT release are in post production stage. Meanwhile vernacular dailies have jacked up the rates for cinema advts .

Kasthuri with SAC at Thalapathy Vijay's ex manager's charity function - with no backing SAC drops political party

 

Actress Kasthuri and SAC took part in the function organised by Thalapathy Vijay's former manager P T Selvakumar who runs Kalpai Makkal iyakkam. The iyyakam has been doing service to women and daily wage workers during the lockdown. There was a buzz that Kasthuri had joined BJP when Amit Shah visited Chennai, She denied it.

The President of the Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam which applied for a political party registration has resigned, citing police harassment. SAC pulled back his application. Padmanabhan in his statement said that his family and relatives were subjected to police harassment for no fault of theirs. The Iyyakam which took a political colour at the behest of SAC, father of Vijay,  is now headless. Vijay’s mother Shoba who signed in the application as treasurer had publicly stated that she was misled by her husband into doing so. The police harassment of those in the Vijay Makkal Iyakkam that owes allegiance to SAC  is seen as a sign of a pact between the actor and the ruling AIADMK- BJP combine. The understanding is that Vijay would maintain a silence during the upcoming State polls.

The behind the scenes activity is said to be the work of Anand , who was MLA from Puduchery’s Bussy constituency.  He then was in TMC and in the subsequent election he lost. SAC had inducted him in the Vijay fans association and he gradually grew to be the All India President of the organization that was converted into a welfare association. A few months back, SAC started speaking in public about the likelihood of his son coming to politics. This spurred a series of posters coming up in Madurai and elsewhere proclaiming Vijay as future CM. SAC was caught off guard when those who put up the posters were suspended from the Iyyakam by Anand. Raja, a trusted aide of SAC, who was overseeing the Iyakkam affairs was forced to quit as his mentor lost his grip on the outfit.

SAC then saw that the association was filled with yes men of Anand. SAC says that for 37 districts, the body has 200 District Presidents. He claims that ad-hoc appointments were made and those in these posts accepted money from the ruling and opposition political parties. He says that   the social media handles were in the hands of these groups who put out false stories about undeserving people and crediting them for having helped the Iyakkam. SAC points out that Vijay believes this news as he has no interaction with the media or anybody else. In short, Vijay is in the hands of the group that has kept him in a web of lies.

SAC found that his son was not willing to let go of Anand. It is said that Anand drafted the unsigned press note by Vijay to the media. He had used strong words implying that Vijay’s  father’s actions were illegal and would invite action . The actor also asked his fans to not take part in these activities. Soon after this, Anand got all District Presidents for a meet with Vijay to show that the rank and file was with the actor. As Vijay’s mother Shoba’s signature on the application form was seen as the actor playing a game, Anand masterminded a press meet and got her to denounce SAC.

Already many who supported SAC were picked up by police on trumped up charges and their family members harassed. SAC claimed that Padmanabhan was only a dummy who would vacate the post as soon as Vijay got ready to occupy it. He claimed that all those who were seen as threat to Anand camp was targeted with the help of the police and to save them the political party was started. Now  with the latest resignation , more might desert SAC.

 

Distortion of realities in Mookuthi Amman

 

Mookuthi Amman film is set in  Vellimalai of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. A Godman using the temple’s popularity usurps acres of land to build his ashram. Reality – In Vellimalai , exists Sri Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashram  founded by Swami Ambananda in 1940.. It is one of the most revered institutions that was nerve center of  Hindu renaissance. Now headed by Swami Chaitnyananda is spread all over the State and in Sri Lanka teaching Hinduism. They  had nothing to do with land grab and was seen as a counter to the vigorous teaching of Christianity in Church funded  schools of Kanyakumari. Like  the deity  Mookuthi Ammaan , Kanyakumari is known for her diamond nose ring that according to folklore is said to be so sparkling that it served like a lighthouse to ships. The naming of deity located in this District as Mookuthi Amman is apt.

Amman getting angry as devotees give more importance to Tirupati when they can afford a travel and neglecting the kula deivam or Grama Devata is misplaced  Kanyakumari is one place where local deities are worshipped irrespective of a caste divide. The deity is not seen as belonging to any Hindu sect and along the coastline, Hindu and Christian fishermen support these small temples and churches. The belief is that Sea God is common to all who fish in the sea and to not invoke the wrath, the Christian and Hindu fishermen patronize each other’s worship places.  The Christian fishermen used to call St. Lucia, Kannamma and considered her the sister of Bhagwati Amma. They believed that during the Bhagawati Amman Festival at Mandai Kadu, there would be a good catch of fish. They made offerings at the Bhagwati Amman temple and their song was:

Kadal Vazhi Vantha Kannamma

Therai Vazhi Vantha Bhagwati Amman.

The Hindus used to make offerings to 'Sakayamata' church (church of Lady of Perpetual Help). This cultural anthropological fact is not an epiphenomenon. None of these religious people would like to see the relations between the communities destroyed. Their religious faith based on their experience is basic to their 'being'.

As a journalist, I reported the communal violence that broke out at the Mandikadu Bhagwati Amman temple 'Masi Kodai' festiva in 1982. The  festival that year had witnessed a clash of loudspeakers between the temple and the Church. Further to this the rumor broke out that Hindu women who went to take customary bath in the sea were raped by Christian fishermen. 14 fishermen died of police firing. After this, the District went back to normal.  This violence came a year later after an agreement between the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Kendra and the Christians running the ferry service. The grounds for dispute were many like St Francis had also mediated on the rock and the dredging was a threat to the a small piece of land which housed the Christian fishermen. The real reason was that the Memorial became synonymous with Hinduism and not as a national monument.

There can can be no valid  reason for deletion of the scene which shows the pastor `creating’ miracles in the name of Jesus.In Kanyakumari more than 50 % of the Christian population is Pentecostals and CSI The  groups that the pastor was shown to represent thrives the most in this district. Though it was badly conceptualized, the presence of such activities in Kanyakumari is very much prevalent A stylish presentation of this `miracle cure’ was allowed to be screened in the Malayalam film ` Trance’. At the same time, the character of the hero’s sister veering towards Christianity on her own will and school saying that they had no role in it goes counter to the  video evidence of a prominent Christian school conducting a prayer session of students in uniforms . The prayers were bordering on the psychologically brainwashing of the students. However, the character that the director created could exist and cannot be seen as whitewashing of conversions that are rampant in Kanyakumari.

As a person with roots in Kanyakumari, I have jotted down a few observations about the film as it is said to be happening from a place , I know.

( source; ibiblio.org for Mandaikadu background)

 

 

Update l Laxmii in single screens defying ban as it breaks Dil Bechara records on OTT . despite bad reviews and piracy

 

A distributor has been quoted as saying by the trade portal, “These are regular cinemas who come to us for buying the screening rights of films distributed by us and by the other distributors like us. If the terms demanded by us don’t suit them, they go away without striking deals but they then screen the film illegally and pocket the collections cent per cent.”

Disney- Hotstar the OTT that released Laxmii has said that " #Laxmii breaks all records to become the biggest opening movie ever on Disney+ Hotstar VIP! Thank you for all the love. Subscribe now to watch the entertainment blockbuster of the year.”. The previous record was Sushanth's Dil Bechara. The film Laxmii was produced by FoxStar for Rs 65 cr  and bought by Hotstar for Rs 150 cr excluding satellite rights. Star Gold ,the parent company bought the satellite rights for an undisclosed amount. Fox ' Star has to share the OTT rights amount with Akshay Kumar. By a rough estimate, producer makes Rs 85 cr as profit.Overseas the film released in UAE, Australia, New Zealand -Fiji. The film did a business of 15,886 USD [Rs. 11.78 lacs] from 43 screens in Australia. While in New Zealand the film collected 14,897 USD [Rs. 11.05 lacs] from 29 screens.Tamilrockers which was lying low bounced back with it streaming the film as it was available to only VIP subscribers.

The critics verdict is  Laxmii is till date the worst film of 2020 and beats Sadak 2. The film’s plot and screenplay that was created in 2011 and delivered as is it is in 2020 and taking away some points that appealed to the Tamil audiences then was bound to be a disaster. By just having the new equipments and technology is not enough but the script too needs a massive change. No wonder the producer’s wanted to dump the director and take the story alone In fact, as a film critic from the South, I would say that the subject does not have anything in it for a remake. It should have been left alone.

The story was set in a time which is much different from today. The transgender role had created a lot of curiosity as for one it was played by a macho top selling actor Sarath Kumar. The novelty of this had created an interest in the audience then. Today, we have a film Super Deluxe in Tamil with a BO saleable actor Vijay Sethupathi playing a transgender taking the role to another level. Secondly, Raghava Lawrence ,the director played the meek guy afraid of ghosts and this went well as he did not have any baggage of an onscreen image to carry. Here , the problem is that Akshay Kumar is totally miscast. The jump scare and so many other outdated elements has got a nod from Akshay is surprising. Lawrence has not moved an inch further than his first Kanchana  and every two- three years he keeps coming up with a sequel that caters to an audience that keeps their brains at home.

If at all there is something that one can say well is the Bumbholle song towards the climax. Sometimes everything goes wrong for a film. Apart from the content, you had many who launched a ban LaxmiiBomb hashtag and then another set saying that it is Hinduphobic and whole new group saying that Akshay ,a BJP supporter did the most bravest thing by playing a Muslim married to a Hindu. Some good actors like Kelkar got drowned in this messy film. Kiara is obviously in it for the money.