Cricket Fever and Tamil Films

Friday, April 20, 2007
The World Cup cricket that takes place every 4 years is to start in a few weeks. Cricket is not as popular as football, but in England and the countries it colonized, cricket is more popular than football.

The days India is playing, not only the streets, but also theatres are near empty. The people stay glued to their TV sets and radios. On such days, some theaters even screen cricket matches to draw in the crowd.

This cricket fever seems to have caught on in the film field...especially in films.

The benefits awarded to the Tamil film field by the Govt have put the producers in such a happy mood that many medium budget films are being churned out every month. Now and then we see the real big budget films too.

About 8 films were to be released for Pongal, but many changed plans since there actually was a shortage of theatre availability. There was also hesitation in wanting to compete with films of Ajith, Vijay and Vishal. Some had production problems.

Those films that did not get released due to any of the above reasons, will definitely get released this February. It also happens that some films which were originally scheduled for a March release are being finished in a hurry for release in Feb. The reason is simple. World Cup Cricket is to start in March.

There is a reason why they are hesitating to release the films after the World Cup. Rajini's Sivaji and Kamal's Dasavataram are to be released then. And releasing their films at this time would be like mice getting squashed amid sumo wrestlers. So, producers feel Feb is a good month when they can release their films and not get into a panic.

About 20 films are to be released this month. Originally scheduled for Pongal release, Veerasamy starring Vijaya T Rajender, Meghna Naidu and Mumtaz got released in the beginning of this month. Pori directed by Subramaniam Siva and starring Jeeva and Pooja also got released. Deepavali was not released for Pongal, and is to hit the theatres shortly. Having lain in cans for many years, Agaram is also to be released.

Two dubbed films are also to be released. One is Saadhanai directed by a 9 year old. The other is Lakshiyam-Oru Thaayin Sabadham directed by Raghava Lawrence.

Yesterday, Gautham's Pachaikili Muthucharam got released. Today, Lee Produced by Sathyaraj and starring Sibi, is getting released. This is one of the films affected by cricket fever.

There are only 2 weeks left in the month and so many films are to be released. One is Ameer's 3rd film Paruthiveeran. It could not be released for Pongal due to finance problems and is getting released on 23rd.

Mozhi produced by Prakashraj's Duet Films and starring Jyotika in her last screen appearance, is also getting released on Feb 23. On the same date, Solli Adippen with Vivek in the hero role, is getting released. It's been in the making for a long time.

These have all been announced. Those not announced could amount to at least 10. Among them are...

Sabari starring Vijayakanth as a doctor, Muni directed by Raghava Lawrence and produced by Saran, Thirumagan with Meera Jasmine and S J Suryah playing the lead roles, Koodal Nagar where Bharath plays dual role, Oram Po starring Arya and Pooja, Periyar featuring Sathyaraj and Khushboo are some of the big budget films.