The latest buzz on the J. Jayalalithaa biopic Thalaivi is that it has sold its rights to an OTT platform at an exorbitant price.
However, the film, considered one among the most awaited ones of 2020, has a couple of days’ shooting pending. It is yet undecided, however, whether the final shooting will be in Hyderabad or Chennai.
The film, which was supposed to release on 26th June 2020, had to stop shooting because of the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown. Thalaivi has Kangana Ranaut playing the pivotal role of the late politician J. Jayalalithaa, who served six terms as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
Upon speaking about the status of the film and its expected timelines with the film’s producer, Vishnu Vardhan Induri, we understand that the film unit, despite its OTT deal, will do its theatrical release first.
“The process of release for Thalaivi is going to be as usual. The film will first release in the theatres and then on the OTT platform. The release of Thalaivi is not for the OTT/satellite first,” clarifies Vishnu Vardhan.
Production plans
Regarding the release date, however, Vishnu explains that because they still had some parts of the shooting left before they went into lockdown, the shooting would restart only after the lockdown reverses.
“Only then shall we proceed with the shoot, for which we have a couple of days, and only after that shall we decide the release date,” Vishnu adds. So, does the producer anticipate the movie theatres to reopen to the audiences any time soon, we ask him.
“No, I don’t think theatres will open up for at least another month and a half,” he points out. As we end our conversation, we ask the producer when and where the team expects to have the last schedule of Thalaivi to take place.
“We will be shooting in India itself as the story is all about India,” replies Vishnu. “However, we have not yet decided where to shoot the last schedule of the film. Tentatively, we are considering shooting in Hyderabad or Chennai.”
