Pongal 2011 is getting overcrowded, as four big films are trying to get theatre dates Vijay's Kaavalan, Dhanush's Aadukalam, Karthi's Siruthai and PA Vijay's Ilanjian which is scripted by Chief Minister Karunanidhi.
As of now Sun Pictures have confirmed the maximum number of screens for their Vetrimaran directed Aadukalam. Ilanjian as per the grapevine has been taken over for marketing by Red Giants, which will ensure theatres.
Studio Green's Gjnavel Raja and his Siruthai has the first mover advantage as he confirmed many screens in November.
Now Kaavalan has not even started booking screens, at a time when all the best theatres have already been blocked by others.
Today a big film releases in around 250 to 300 screens in Tamil Nadu, which claims to have around 1500 screens. But in reality there are only 925 screens fit for screening.
In short Aadukalam, Siruthai and Ilanjian will corner all prime screens especially in small towns like Madurai, Salem or Tirunelveli.
Added to that Kamal Haasan's Manmadhan Ambu, Red Giant's own home production is releasing for Christmas on December 23.
In major centers the film cannot be stopped 21 days after its release to accommodate Pongal biggies. That means theatres will find it even more difficult to give dates to Kaavalan.
Meanwhile Sakthi Chidambaram the man who is marketing Kaavalan has to sort out many unresolved issues with theatre association in Tamil Nadu.
The Malayalam producer of Bodyguard Johnny Sagirika has also filed legal complaint that he has not been paid for the remake rights in Tamil (Kaavalan is a remake of Bodyguard) by its director Siddique.
Kaavalan's cup of woes is overflowing at the moment. But in cinema industry the tide can change in a few minutes, and if all goes well the film has an outside chance to make it for Pongal .
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