In Kollywood, film releases and festivals go hand in hand. One of the two major occasions for the big releases is Deepavali. Over the past so many years, it’s been a common feature for 8-10 films hitting the silver screen on the auspicious day. Surprisingly enough, for this year’s Deepavali, Tamil film industry is lying low and hardly there’s any buzz or enthusiasm that is normally associated during the festival of lights.
2015 Deepavali has only two big movies — Kamal Haasan’s Thoonga Vanam and Ajith’s Vedalam and a small film Inji Murappa. Gone are the days when flicks of Rajini, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Ajith have hit the marquee at the same time and each had their own run at the box office. With the changing practices in film-making (digital) and emerging new trends catching up with release patterns, the number of films getting released during festive occasions is getting dwindled.
Release in maximum number of screens and set your cash box ringing in the first 2 to 3 weeks, is the mantra of many producers and distributors, a trend that started with Dasavatharam. The magnum opus of Kamal Haasan produced by Aascar Ravichandran was released as big as in close to 1,000 screens across the country.
Rajinikanth’s Endhiran followed suit and was released as many as 1,200 screens. ‘ Those days cinema was the only entertainment and festival celebration means going for films, says popular writer and trade analyst Sura.
Producer Karthik attributes yet another reason for the latest trend. “Multiplexes have grown everywhere, which means more number of screens. With actors commanding huge salaries, the cost of production has gone huge these days. So, any producer who wants to make a quick buck in the first few days releases his film in maximum number of screens and takes his money. If the film does well over and above owing to its content, it is a bonus for him/ her”.
He also calls it an attempt to curb piracy, as audiences wouldn’t be disappointed of not getting tickets. Producer/distributor Abirami Ramanathan strongly opines this trend of one film getting released in several screens should not continue.
“I have four theaters in my mall. Because of shortage of Tamil films, I am showing a Hindi film in one of them. Today’s audiences are smart enough to pick up or reject a film even before its release. So, small films should not shun away”.
Producer Dhananjayan feels other ways. He states, “With limited theatrical run nowadays, but with large number of screens and shows, larger number of releases will cannibalise the revenues for competing films. Hence, it is ideal maximum of two big film release during a major festival to earn the maximum in 2 to 3 weeks window the films have to earn. Indian cinema, including Tamil cinema, cannot afford more than two during festivals and in that context what is happening is correct and good for Tamil cinema.”
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