Tamil News

Word Of Mouth Appeal Sees ‘Pariyerum Perumal’ Get Increased Screens And Shows

By Adithya Narayan
Pariyerum Perumal Movie Stills Starring Kathir and Anandhi
Pariyerum Perumal Movie Stills Starring Kathir and Anandhi

Following the positive word of mouth generated post-release, Mari Selvaraj’s Pariyerum Perumal has seen an increase in the number of theatres screening it and the shows allotted. On the day of release, September 28, the film released in 96 theatres in Tamil Nadu, each of whom gave it a show or two each. Now, the number has gone up to 125 theatres in the State, with three or four shows each, a source close to the production house said.

The film, bankrolled by Pa Ranjith’s Neelam Productions, has been co-produced by C Velan, who helped it release in Mumbai, Gujarat, Gurgaon and Noida. In Maharashtra, the film is running in Aurora Cinema, Star Big Cinema and Carnival Moviestar in Mumbai and Cinepolis in Pune. It is also being screened in Inox in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and PVR in Gurgaon and Noida. There were reports that the film will shortly be released in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala, but the source said that the team is waiting for distributors who will take the film to the audience in a proper manner. “Earlier, no one was interested. Now, seeing the feedback, they want to screen it, but we are waiting for a good distributor to come forward,” the source added.

Director Mari Selvaraj had earlier assisted Ram, and Ranjith lent his name to the film. Santhosh Narayanan – a regular Ranjith collaborator, was another prominent name on board. Even the cast had just three faces who were easily recognised in mainstream cinema – Kathir and Anandhi who play the lead characters, and Yogi Babu, who has been cast against the grain in a role that does not involve body-shaming.

Despite the low number of theatres initially granted, the film that speaks of caste inequality and is a searing comment on society has managed to garner appreciation from critics and audiences alike, in India and abroad.

Knowing that the film had been mounted and marketed on a small budget, directors AR Murgadoss and Vignesh ShivN tweeted their support of the movie and requested Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan to watch the film; incidentally, they had promoted their upcoming Thugs of Hindostan in Tamil!

Director Anurag Kashyap, who has always openly spoken about his love for Tamil cinema, and who has a huge fan following here after his turn as antagonist Rudra in Imaikaa Nodigal, also displayed interest in knowing more about the movie. This was duly acknowledged by the cast and crew of the movie.

Adithya Narayan is a Alum at Silverscreen India, and can be reached on Twitter at adithyanr66 or by email at adithya@silverscreen.in