IN a record of sorts, no film at all has hit the screens on April 14. Traditionally celebrated as the Tamil New Year, it was the day anticipated for big releases, as it was a festive occasion and also matched the month-long summer vacation for students.
Even last year saw the release of big films like ‘Santhosh Subramaniyam’, on Tamil New Year's Day, considered to be auspicious in this sentiment and beliefs-driven industry.
This year, in that regard, has come as a disappointment with no film releases at all on April 14. Some people say it is also because Tuesday is considered inauspicious. Though people in the industry do consider Tuesday to be inauspicious, films have earlier been released on festive occasions, unmindful of the days they fall on.
Old habits, however, do seem to die hard, with two films beginning their publicity campaigns and posters.
‘Goa’, directed by Venkat Prabhu, has even completed shoot for a whole song, but posters and ads began featuring only from April 14. The same goes for Dhanush-starrer ‘Kutty’, whose posters and advertisements have begun on a large scale only on the day that was earlier celebrated as the Tamil New Year's day.
‘Kutty’ is being directed by Mitran Jawahar and has Shriya pairing with Dhanush for the second time, after ‘Thiruvilayaadal Aarambham’.
Besides these, two films by relatively unknown filmmakers, ‘Maari’ and ‘Kannukuule’, have begun shooting from Tuesday.
Else, the busiest weekend for the film fraternity this season should be April 24, which sees the release of three expected films: Vijaykanth's ‘Mariyadhai’, Madhavan's ‘Guru En Aalu’ and director Rajamohan's ‘Kunguma Poovum Konjum Puraavum’.
sharadha@epmltd.com