Actor Mohanlal’s upcoming Malayalam films releasing in theatres are expected to generate up to Rs 35 crore as entertainment tax for the government, according to an Onmanorama report.
Though some big films starring Mohanlal were earlier said to be headed directly to OTT platforms, they are now going to be released in theatres first, states the report. These include Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, directed by Priyadarshan, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s second directorial Bro Daddy, filmmaker Jeethu Joseph’s 12th Man, and Alone, directed by Shaji Kailas.
According to the report, the producers of these films revoked their decision to release them on OTT platforms following recent discussions with the government.
There is an expectation that the government will rake in Rs 35 crore as entertainment tax from these releases. Apart from that, around Rs 15 crore could come in through the state’s cultural benevolence fund. Rs 3 is charged per ticket in Kerala for this benevolence fund.
The report also notes that these films could see a joint box-office collection of around Rs 350 to 370 crores. And the better they fare in theatres, the more it will benefit the government.
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Post the aforementioned discussion with the government, Marakkar was recently confirmed as a theatrical release by Kerala’s Culture Minister Saji Cherian. The film, which stars Mohanlal as Kunjali Marakkar, the fourth and the last of the Malayali naval leaders deployed by the Samoothiri of Calicut to fight in the war against the Portuguese in the 16th century, will release in theatres on December 2.
Speaking about Marakkar’s theatrical release, Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala’s General Secretary Sumesh Joseph Manarcaud said the film will be screened in theatres without any conditions attached. “The initial proposal for a three-week exclusive window is not applicable now. A fresh deal will be signed between the makers of the film and theatre owners.”
Sumesh also added that the film’s producer Antony Perumbavoor still remains part of FEUOK as his letter of resignation was not processed.