Malayalam film industry's biggest pan India project goes to OTT sans theatrical release
Starring Mohanlal in the lead role, the film is directed by Priyadarshan and is made within a budget of Rs 100 Cr.
By Bhavana Published on 6 Nov 2021 1:03 PM GMT
Malayalam film industry's big-budget pan India film Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham has been making headlines for a lot of reasons. This film had to hit the screens in 2020 itself but due to the pandemic, the film couldn't hit the screens till now. Also, Kerala being the state with the highest number of Covid positive cases with each passing day, there was no scope for the theatres to be open any soon. Starring Mohanlal in the lead role, the film is directed by Priyadarshan and is made within a budget of Rs 100 Cr.
Producer Antony Perumbavoor held a meeting with the Kerala Film Chamber and Producers Association regarding the theatrical release of Marakkar. But the discussions did not go well due to which the producer decided to release the film on a big OTT platform during Christmas.
Speaking to the media, Antony said, "I have tried my best and held several rounds of negotiations. Nothing has resulted from the meetings. I have no choice other than to release the movie on an OTT platform."
The Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) President, Anchal Vijayakumar said, "We had guaranteed 500 screens and Rs 15 crore as the minimum guarantee. When the producer still backs out, it means he has entered into some sort of a deal with certain OTT platforms."
Also, it is said that managements of only 89 theatres have agreed to their demands. As per reports, the film will release on Amazon Prime Video likely on the eve of Christmas.
Set in the 16th century, the film follows the story of Kunjali Marakkar IV, the naval commander of the ruler of Kozhikode. He is known to the world as the Zamorin.
Marakkar features Mohanlal, Suniel Shetty, Arjun Sarja, Manju Warrier, Keerthi Suresh, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Pranav Mohanlal, and the late actor Nedumudi Venu in important roles.
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