Deepavali Crackers…

The festive mood could be felt everywhere, with a matter of few days for the movies to hit the cinema halls. The new release fever has gripped the industry, never like before. Why not? The stake is high with so many star films (7, as per the last count) getting released at the same time. It should have been a tough time for the distributors to finalize theatres and Cinema hall owners in terms of priority for the first few days…

I just thought of having a short preview on those getting released for this season… I have categorized them into three categories.

1) Star value
2) Social issues
3) Masala Entertainment

Star value

‘Vallavan’ and ‘Varalaaru’ fit into this category.

‘Varalaaru’ (Godfather) has the distinct record of a “Movie with too much of expectations” in the CAN for a long time. This follows the earlier records of ‘Ullam Ketkumae’, ‘Vettaiyaadu Villayaadu’ & ‘Perarasu’. Since these movies had not failed the distributors, ‘Varalaaru’ also would have given a comfortable feeling for them. However, does it worth the hype? Recently, I read its story line in Vikatan as narrated by the movie camp, which doesn’t have anything unique. Ajith in his triple roles has plenty of opportunities to perform. However, the B.O. results depend on the magician K.S.Ravikumar’s screenplay touch. Since, the distributors are behind the strategy of ‘Better now than never’, they may have to pray for their luck to click.

Even though, ‘Vallavan’ seemed to have put PL.Thennappan (producer) under a high tension for the last one year, the “Ever-confident” Simbu is confident this time as well, with the way movie has shaped out. In the initial days, there was news that Simbu is doing triple roles in this movie. According to the facts gathered, dual roles are definite. Whether the third role will be a mystery role? Need to wait & watch from the Director’s official debut movie… With YSR’s musical support, Simbu may strike a winner yet again.

Social Issues

I could classify ‘E’ and ‘Thalai Magan’ in this category.

After a long gap, national award film director Jananathan (of ‘Iyarkai’ fame) is coming out with his second movie ‘E’ titled after his hero’s name ‘Easwaran’. Nowadays, directors are more focused on the titles to woo the audience. I assume that the director would have scripted an attractive screenplay as well, which is supposed to be on the Bio-war elements and the related social issues. With Jeeva in yet another different role, we can expect this to be a dark horse in this festival race.


Another directorial debut, by a Journo-turned Producer-turned actor-turned Sarathkumar thru his wife’s production house ‘Radaan’. ‘Thalaimagan’ was supposed to be directed by directors like Venkatesh, Balaji etc., and finally Sarath had stepped in to wield the megaphone. Since Sarath is dwelling upon the water problem of the future world, in his Journalist’s role, I believe there would be lot of scope for him in emotional & action scenes. There is every possibility that Distributors can feel comfortable with this movie as a safe bet.

Masala Entertainment

We can classify the following three easily into this category.

Producer-Director Saran is coming out with yet another city based heroic subject ‘Vattaram’, after his previous hits of ‘Amarkalam’, ‘Gemini’, ‘Attagasam’ (average) etc., Arya is assumed to be a safe bet and Bharadwaj’s music is OK to listen, even though it cannot be classified as excellent. Since his last ‘Ithaya Thirudan’ didn’t click well with the audience, I hope Saran would have taken almost care to make this ‘Vattaram’ a complete commercial entertainment. Need to keep the fingers crossed…



Most of the time, AM.Ratnam’s touches turn to be lucky. But I won’t bet much on his new venture to be released for this festival. Director Perarasu - ‘Captain’ Vijaykanth combo’s ‘Dharmapuri’ seem to have all the masala elements of both the personalities. Being targeted purely for ‘B’ & ‘C’ centre audience, it is a big question if it can become a hit like captain’s last release ‘Perarasu’.

Director Venkatesh is somewhat like early days’ KS.Ravikumar. He is very clear on the formula stories and what he is supposed to deliver. He has neither delivered any memorable movies nor delivered any loss making movies for the producers and distributors. All his earlier releases with Sarath, Simbu etc., are masala entertainers with glamour for the mass audience. This time, Arjun has decided to join Venkatesh for the movie ‘Vaathiyar’ which is also clearly for ‘B’ & ‘C’ audience. I don’t have much to comment or bet on this movie.

Now that distributors are praying that none of the movies should lose money, I can’t comment as to who would be the loser. My gut feeling is that the competition will be between ‘Vallavan’ ‘Thalaimagan’ & ‘Vattaram’ in the initial days with the dark horses being ‘E’ & ‘Varalaaru’.

‘Dharmapuri’ & ‘Vaathiyaar’ are not my cups of tea.

Anyhow, I’m going to miss the Deepavali action this time, since I’m neither in India nor in Singapore. So, I’ll definitely miss opportunity of viewing some of these movies immediately. Will catch up later.
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