CHENNAI:In an industry where superstition and numerology are believed to guide some of the largest business decisions made, smaller ‘budget’ directors don’t seem too concerned about releasing their films on this Friday, the 13th of March. Putting prudence and profits above all else, 10 producers have agreed to release their films this Friday, in order to get their films out before the final exams, world cup fever and IPL take centre stage. This is the reason why six films, which had been announcing release dates from the beginning of the year, quickly released last week.
This has come as a mild blow for films which had always intended to have the March 13 release, like Ivanukku Thannila Gandam, “Initially, when we had planned to release our film, there were only four other films slated for this date, so we went for it. Now, another five films have entered the race,” explained S N Sakthivel, the comedy film’s director. “Getting screens is a little tough, but if we pass over this date, then the next time we will be able to have a safe release is only in June,” he added.
As soon as the board exams end, larger films like Kamal Haasan’s Utthama Villain, Karthi’s Komban, Udhayanidhi’s Nanbenda and Mani Ratnam’s O Kadhal Kanmani will hog screens. Battling with similar low-budget films is the lesser of two evils, for others like Mithun, whose football-based film Aivarattam is also releasing. “We’ve made the film on a shoestring budget but even with that the producers are a little concerned about collections when so many films are releasing on the same day. But we are confident that this film will do well in the Southern districts because the game is very popular there,” he said, with firm resolute. “It’s also better to compete with films in the same category over larger films where we will lose out,” he added. All of these films are loaded with newcomers of character actors — with James Vasanthan, who is debuting as director in Vaanavil Vaazhkai, being the most recognised name.
Getting prime screen space in theatres can also make or break a film’s profitability run. “This is essential because very often smaller films only get one or two shows in major theatres and this affects the word of mouth factor,” said Don Sandy, whose film Mahabalipuram has crossed several distribution hurdles before hitting screens. “We’d been holding off release for a while now because we wanted to target prime screens but after waiting for I, Yennai Arindhaal and Anegan to finish their runs, we have to take what we can get,” he added.
Smaller films finding it difficult to get screens to release is one of the major issues placed before the Producer’s Council. They are actively mulling a calendar to ensure that small budget films are also afforded slots to release and make money, in between larger releases.
So isn’t there any apprehension over releasing on a Friday that is coincidentally the 13th day of the month? “Releasing the film is the priority. We cannot worry about dates and superstition at this point,” said Sandy. Laughing it off, Sakthivel let on that even he didn’t buy into the hullabaloo over the ostensibly unlucky character of the number 13. “I started my film on March 13 last year, I think,” he said with a laugh. With only a week or less for them to make it or break it, how many of them will be laughing all the way to the bank? That’s the one-crore-or-less question.
Hitting the Box Office this Friday
Aivaraattam
Runtime - 1.50 hours
A family drama that is centred around the five-a-side football game of the same name, the team roped in actual Aivarattam players from Sivaganga, Salem and other Southern districts and shot there extensively.
Mahabalipuram
Runtime - 1.45 hours
Featuring actors like Karunakaran and Ramesh Thilak, the story is mostly light and set in Mahabalipuram, with the last 40 minutes woven out of a true story with what the director calls an ‘unusual’ twist.
Ivanuku Thannila Gandam
Runtime - 2.10 hours
This one is a full-length comedy where Rajendran of Naan Kadavul fame, the man with the most prominent pate in town, was given a larger role after shooting began. Impressed by his verve and character appeal, the team added a whole extra schedule just to film portions with him and integrated him in a larger way in the script.
Other releases
Thavarana Pathai
Sonna Pochu
Vaanavil Vazhkai
Kadam Kadam
Kadavul Paathi Mirugam Paathi
Rajathandhiram
Iravum Pagalum
Sankarabaranam