The makers of Mohanlal-starrer Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, the upcoming Malayalam film, have requested an exclusive three-week run for the film in over 600 theatres in Kerala from August 12, according to the Film Exhibitors’ United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK).
Speaking to Silverscreen India, FEUOK General Secretary Sumesh Joseph Manarkattu said, “The production team of Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham has submitted a request that Marakkar should be the first film to release when theatres reopen in Kerala after the lockdown. Considering that it is a big-budget film and has been waiting for two years, they want a three-week exclusive run in theatres.”
Calling it a “genuine request” from the team, Sumesh added, “When the government permits theatres to reopen, initially it will only allow 50% occupancy. So, we think we need to support this film which has been made with a big budget.”
On Friday, Mohanlal had announced that the team hopes to present Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham on August 12 as an Onam release.
President of Kerala Film Producers Association, M Renjith, confirmed that the film is slated for release on August 12, subject to theatres being allowed to reopen by that date, but said the final decision regarding the three-week run is yet to be made by the association.
Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, written and directed by Priyadarshan, won awards for best feature film, best special effects and best costume design at the 67th National Film Awards.
Aside from Mohanlal, it also features Suniel Shetty, Arjun Sarja, Keerthy Suresh, Manju Warrier, Pranav Mohanlal, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Siddique, Ashok Selvan, Fazil, Siddique, Nedumudi Venu and Innocent in pivotal roles.
Set in the 16 century, the film narrates the story of Kunjali Marakkar IV, the fourth and the last of the Malayali naval leaders deployed by the Samoothiri of Calicut to fight against the Portuguese, between 1507 and 1600.
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The film is produced by Antony Perambavoor under the Aashirvaad Cinemas banner at a budget of Rs 100 crores. It was shot at Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City and Kovalam in Kerala.
Also known as Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea, the film has been dubbed in several languages including Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, English and Chinese.
The film’s release has been postponed four times since it was first announced. Initially scheduled for March 26, 2020, it was postponed to March 26, 2021, because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Later, the release of the film was postponed yet again, this time to May 13, to coincide with Eid. With theatres shut down again due to the pandemic, the makers have now further delayed the release by three months.