Despite the Tamil Film Producers Council’s recent attempts to streamline the release of films, as many as 10 movies are being dumped in the theatres on August 3 — a throwback to the days when a bunch of smaller films would release only to cancel out each other at the box office and pushed out by a film with a much bigger hype.
Experts in the film trade say that the smaller movies are creating a bottle neck at the Tamil Nadu box office on August 3 due to the release of Vishwaroopam II on August 10 and other big movies planned subsequently.
While Ghajinikanth, starring Arya in the lead, is a film with considerable buzz, other films such as Maniyar Kudumbam, Naadodi Kanavu, Kadigaara Manithargal, Uppu Puli Kaaram, Kaatu Payaa Sir Indha Kaali, Enga Kaatula Mazhai, Oh Kaadhalane Azhagumagan, Kadal Kuthiraigal, Poyaa and Arali are releasing with limited hype. Barring Ghajinikanth, none of the other movies, experts say, are expected to get a reasonable run at the box office before Vishwaroopam II takes over next Friday.
Speaking about why this issue has cropped up once again, a TFPC member, who didn’t want to be named, said, “The Producer Council’s explanation is that it is not the sole authority that can decide on movie releases. We also have producers affiliated to Film and Television Producers’ Guild of South India and South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce making and releasing movies. TFPC cannot have any say over those associations.”
Jaguar Thangam, president, Film and Television Producers’ Guild of South India, said that the Guild releases more than 120 movies, on an average every year. “We have around 4,000 members in our Guild. The problem with Release Regulation is that different movies have different yardsticks. There were no rules that were agreeable to all stakeholders,” he said, adding, “This is why we asked the producers not to wait and release movies as and when they wish.”
A leading distributor said that such instances of movies being dumped on a single weekend need to be avoided. “It is neither good for the theatres nor does it make sense for the producers to run their films for one or two shows a day in theatres,” he said.