The ambiguity surrounding the release date of Enthiran has many filmmakers in jitters. Producers and directors are now in a hurry to release their films well before Shankar’s sci-fi magnum opus hits the screens.
Earlier, it was said that the Rajinikanth-starrer would release on September 24. But, industry sources say the movie might hit theatres only in the first week of October or might even get delayed to a Diwali release.
A source from the industry reveals that many producers and directors are rushing to complete their post-production work. “We’re expecting the release of at least 20 films in September. Producers are in a hurry to release their films, fearing their films wouldn’t get appropriate mileage when Enthiran hits the screens,” says the president of the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owner Federation, Abirami Ramanathan. “We (the Exhibitors Association) have requested the Producers’ Council to restrict the number of films releasing in a week. Enthiran is not the only reason. For around four months now, too many films are being released in a week. It would be better if three films and a dubbed movie release in a week.”
While eight films released on Friday (September 3), more films are expected to release on September 10 and 17. “Enthiran is a big-budget film and when it releases, we won’t get access to theatres. Moreover, Enthiran will be the first choice for audiences as well. So we’re releasing Boss Engira Bhaskaran on September 10. The post-production work is already complete,” says director Rajesh.
Says ‘Tiruchy’ S Shridhar, office bearer, Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners’ Association, “Last Friday (August 27), as many as 12 films hit the screens but all of them were wiped out on the same day. On September 10, eight films are set to hit the screens. The main reason for such a rush is because producers fear they wouldn’t get the theatres for four to five weeks after the release of Enthiran.”