Kollywood Diwali Clash: Red Giant's Dominance Raises Concerns About Fair Play
The upcoming Diwali release of four Kollywood films - Sivakarthikeyan's Amaran, Jayam Ravi's Brother, Kavin's Bloody Beggar, and Dulquer Salmaan's Lucky Bhaskar - has been overshadowed by concerns about unfair screen allocation, particularly in Tamil Nadu.
While bookings have begun for these films, major multiplex chains like PVR and Inox are yet to open bookings. This suggests a potential power play by Red Giant Movies, the distribution house controlled by Udhayanidhi Stalin, which is distributing Amaran and Brother.
Amaran, riding on strong pre-release hype, has secured a considerable number of screens for its opening week. However, Brother, despite lacking substantial pre-release buzz, has surprisingly acquired the maximum screen count, suggesting a possible package deal with Amaran by Red Giant.
This strategic move by Red Giant has raised concerns among distributors and filmmakers of Bloody Beggar and Lucky Bhaskar, as they are struggling to secure adequate screen space for their releases.
Despite potential for success, both films face an uphill battle due to limited screens, relying heavily on strong word-of-mouth and positive audience reception to gain traction. This situation raises questions about fair play in the industry, where strong distribution houses might influence screen allocations, potentially impacting the success of smaller films.
The upcoming Diwali clash highlights the complex dynamics of Kollywood distribution, where pre-release buzz and distribution power may overshadow merit and audience appeal. The fate of Bloody Beggar and Lucky Bhaskar hangs in the balance, leaving fans and industry insiders questioning whether this Diwali will truly be a celebration for all.