Superstar’s evergreen hit – Baasha ad was gracing the paper. The film has been re-released by a distributor in six screens in and around Chennai.
Chumma solla koodathu….the ad was rocking.
In this age of satellite televisions and day long serials, it is possible only for a Superstar film. And that too this Baasha has been screened in TVs umpteen times.
I thought that really this distributor has guts to release a film which has been shown innumerous times in televisions. Anyway, those who trust Superstar won’t be deceived. History reveals that.
MGR's films too generate such a response during re-releases. But his Adimai Penn and Nadodi Mannan has not been telecasted in any channels so far and satellite rights of these films were not given to anybody.
My curiosity rose very much and I decided to speak to the distributor Viji of VA Films who holds City/NSC rights and has released this film in Chennai and Chenglepet.
This is just a telephonic conversation.
First I Congratulated him for releasing a Superstar film. Then I shot questions.
It is the evergreen hit of Superstar. Also I have the re-release rights of the film.
What gave you confidence to release a film that has been shown umpteen times in channels?
Superstar. Apart from that I thought that I could pull audience to the theatres by good promotion. So, I decided to promote the film with new posters for publicity and vinyl banners (20x10) in theatres. For this we created new attractive designs. I also gave ads in news papers. (pls check thanthi ad and poster pictures shot at Chennai roads)
How is the response?
It’s wonderful. In Pallavaram Janatha and some other theatres, they told that the response is equal to that of a new Rajini film’s release. Though the theatre occupancy rate varies between 50% to 60%, the response is equal to that of a Superstar's release film. Fans were in the same festive mood. Really this is possible only to a Rajini film. But such a response to this film which has been repetitively shown on channels is unexpected.
And you know, crowd for this film is more than that of some new films released yesterday. (2 films released yesterday)
Yes. Normally just a two or three week is enough for a Rajini film (for re-releases). Since I have spent a lot on publicity and posters it will take some extra time for me to recover. I am sure that I would recover my cost and start reaping profits soon.
I will try sir. But re-releasing films that came before 90s is difficult because of technical issues. Most of the films before that period were 35 mm. It won’t suit today’s theatre equipments or screen or audience. All theatres are now equipped with DTS. Many theatres that showed interest in re-release films are now vanishing. Its a tough task to get theatres. This too I got just because the film is Baasha.
Anyway, I would try to screen Veera, Chandramukhi, Padayappa, Muthu etc in future and the films referred by you.
You would have released many films in past. How does a Rajini film differs?
Just in opening and revenue. No films can come closer to this. Thaikulams are still intact for Superstar.
Re-releases are becoming very rare nowadays. Why is that so?
It is because of print cost. It is very very expensive and it is very tough to recover the cost in this satellite age.
All the best sir. Hope you release more such Thalaivar films and make us happy.
Thank you.
