Vishwaroopam will have to stand in queue for theatre release

R. Ravikumar Updated - November 20, 2017 at 11:38 AM.

Screens in Tamil Nadu full on January 11, when the release is scheduled

Kamal Haasan’s mega movie Vishwaroopam seems to be in a fix now, as it may not get to cinema halls in Chennai, North Arcot, South Arcot, Chengalpattu, Tiruchi, Tirunelveli, Salem, Cuddalore and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

“Even if theatre owners are agreeable” to screen the film, theatres are not available on that date, said an industry source.

“There is absolutely no theatres available in Chennai for January 11 release of

Vishwaroopam , as all of them have signed up for two other Tamil films —
Alex Pandian and
Kanna, Laddu Thinna Aasaiya — and a Telugu film, due for release around same time,” said a theatre owner and an active member of the association of Tamil Nadu theatre owners.

postpone?

According to him, besides Chennai, in other centres, too, not many theatres are free to screen

Vishwaroopam as they are blocked by these two Tamil movies. And in some theatres, the recently released movies such as
Thuppakki and
Kumki are running to full houses, and continue to run well beyond January 11, he explained.

Usually, ‘A’ and ‘B’ centres are the major catchments for Kamal Haasan’s films. Now, since most screens in these centres are already blocked for other films, “Kamal Haasan may have to reconsider Vishwaroopam ’s release date,” said a film industry pundit.

Actor and film-maker Kamal Haasan, however, stands his ground that Vishwaroopam will be premiered on the direct-to-home platform on January 10 despite protest from various theatre owners, and will be released in theatres the next day. In some advertisements, it is reconfirmed that the movie is scheduled for theatre release on January 11.

In a recent press conference, he said the movie will be premiered on the direct-to-home platform through all the six players — Dish, Tata Sky, Sun Direct, Reliance Digital, AirTel Digital TV and Videocon D2H, adding that the next day, the movie will be released in at least 400 screens across Tamil Nadu. The DTH players, too, have started rolling out advertisements in electronic and print media.

According to Abirami Ramanathan, President, Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Federation, a final decision was due to be taken in the federation’s meeting on January 3 in Tiruchi.

>ravikumar.ramanujam@thehindu.co.in

Published on January 2, 2013 16:17