We are back to do a followup to our previous piece about the impact of OTT Platforms in Tamil Cinema. In case you missed it. READ : Release Fatigue : How Many Releases is too many ?
Filmmakers and Exhibitors have been at loggerheads ever since Master started streaming on Amazon Prime just 16 days after having its theatrical release. The infamous Tiruppur Subramaniam made a valid point on Master's footfalls dropping significantly post the digital release and ultimately cost its chance to topple the All Time Record Gross currently held by SS Rajamouli's Baahubali 2. The film is looking at a closing gross of around 138.5 crores in Tamil Nadu.
But If you look at things from 7Screen Lalit's perspective then his actions are totally justified. He has Tughlaq Durbar ready for release, while Cobra which has went over budget is currently wrapping the final portions in Russia and in addition to that Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal is also on floors. Someone who has committed to spend lavishly on his film productions definitely needed the extra 16 crores offered by Amazon Prime and If observed closer this amount is not really an extra, Lalit has merely gained back the price he sacrificed (Europe, Malaysia & more) to facilitate theatrical release in India.
Macha Print Vandhurcha Da?
Lets be brutally honest here, every gang of movie buffs has someone who will break the news of a movie being available to download YKW (You Know Where). This was much before the likes of Amazon Prime, Netflix, SunNxt and Zee5 entered the fray. The arrival of OTT platforms is a good thing for both filmmakers and movie buffs, a section of people who used to watch movies through piracy are now watching them legally through OTT platforms which means filmmakers are in fact earning a lot of money which they previously stood to lose out to piracy. If Exhibitors had some guilt conscience, they wouldn't dare to disrupt this change.
Kabadadaari makes little sense to remake because the kind of audience this subject appeals to have already consumed the film online with English subtitles. Unless the remake is equally good or at least on par with the original, target audience will comfortably skip them in theaters.
TN Gross : 2.25 crores
Having watched this film recently, it pains me to say Kalathil Sandhipom deserved better reception in theaters. Of course the film is ridden with cliches but it found its footing in the 2nd half post which the film was thoroughly entertaining. Some good songs from Yuvan and Offline promotions would have made a lot of difference.
TN Gross : 4.5 crores
Parris Jeyaraj should be commended for having a full length gaana album. It was fun but the genre doesn't have much takers in South Tamil Nadu which was a key contributor for Santhanam's hit films including A1 the actor's previous collaboration with the director. The reasons for this movie's failure are very much similar to Kalathil Sandhipom, more off line promotions and rooted music would have made Parris Jeyaraj a sleeper hit.
TN Gross : 6 crores
Less said the better on Kutty Story which had no chance of working in theaters.
"It’s neither Covid nor OTT, it’s jus lack of good content with stardom ...April month will answer all these random assumptions ..." - Vettri Theatre's Rakesh Gowthaman
How Doctor, Sulthan and Karnan fare in theaters will prove why theaters will remain the favorite place for moviebuffs. Theaters survived VCR, Television, Pirated CDs/DVDs, Torrents and they will survive OTT and COVID also.
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