Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Deepavali letdown for movie lovers

S.R. Ashok Kumar

Three of the eight movies touted for release not screened due to various reasons

SAVING GRACE: Actor Arya (right) releases the print of `Vattaram' to distributors and exhibitors in Malaysia.

CHENNAI: Cinema lovers who thronged film theatres on Deepavali to watch their idols were disappointed on Saturday.

Three of the eight movies touted for a Deepavali release were not screened due to various reasons.

The Arjun-starrer `Vaathiyar', the Vijayakanth-starrer `Dharmapuri' and Vallavan featuring Silambarasan were not screened on Saturday morning. However, Dharmapuri and Vallavan made it to the theatres in some parts of Chennai by the evening. .

But `Vaathiyar' is expected to be released only next month, enquiries with the industry reveal.

Sources in the distribution sector say that `Vallavan' and `Dharamapuri' missed only a few shows. V. Suresh of Oscar films, the city distributor for Vaathiayar, said there were no problems with the distribution.

According to him, the production unit had funding problems, which was responsible for the delay. He expects `Vathiyar' will release on November 3.

The first among the Deepavali releases to reach the theatres not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Malayasia and Singapore was `Vattaram' directed by Saran. The film, which features Arya and Napolean, proved a consolation for the disappointed audience.

"The punctual release was due the planning of director Saran," says Nag Ravi, distributor of `Vattaram' in Chennai, Chengalpattu. He also holds the FMS (foreign management screening) rights for the film.

"The director finished the film on time and we despatched the print well ahead of release to other countries. The response has been tremendous in both Malaysia and Singapore. On Deepavali alone, 167 shows of `Vattaram' was screened in Chennai and Chengalpattu. In all, 24 theatres are screening the film in Chennai and Chengalpattu, a record by itself."

Saran, who was visiting the cinema halls, said, "As a producer, I feel sorry for those missed the film's screening, but I am happy that Vattaram helped in the last minute."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Winners in Chennai Corporation Council elections
Flood control measures taken up at Velachery
An experience of a lifetime
City trader shot at
Deepavali letdown for movie lovers
Trees subjected to vandalism: survey
Gas refill backlog leaves consumers in the cold
Stem cell therapy helps woman avoid amputation
Roots of Madras libraries
Free mock aptitude test for students
A sparkler of a Deepavali for two film artistes
SRM University ties up with London varsity
Diamonds in demand
"Creamy layer concept against social justice"
Health camp for students
DMK candidate records highest victory margin
SHRC takes note of report on school transport
Date extended
DMK amends list
Homage to heroes
Lighting up the sky
Around the City
In Chennai Today
Reader's Mail

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu