PVR Cinemas has stated it will screen the Tamil and Telugu versions of Kangana Ranaut‘s Thalaivii on September 10. However, for the Hindi version, the multiplex chain appealed to the makers to increase the theatrical window to four weeks.
Multiplex chains PVR and INOX had earlier refused to screen the film due to the fact that the Hindi version of the film is scheduled to hit Netflix within two weeks of its theatrical release. The Tamil and Telugu versions, on the other hand, have been acquired by Amazon Prime Video, and will release on the OTT platform after a four-week run in theatres.
Although reports stated that makers of the film and theatres owners had sorted out issues, Kamal Gianchandani, chief executive officer, PVR Pictures Ltd, said in a statement, on Saturday, “We have always requested all studios, producers, artistes and other content creators, to respect the theatrical window, which has been a time-tested industry practice, agreed to by all stakeholders, for several decades. Considering the severe impact of the ongoing pandemic on our business, PVR cinemas has already agreed to reduce the eight-week theatrical window to four weeks, for all films releasing in the near future.”
“We are thankful to the team for offering a four-week theatrical window for the Tamil and Telugu language versions. We are delighted to be able to play Thalaivii in Tamil and Telugu at our cinemas. However, we are disappointed that for the Hindi language version, Thalaivii team has decided to offer only a two-week window. We would like to appeal to Kangana Ranaut, (producers) Vishnu Induri and Shailesh Singh to keep a uniform window of four weeks across all language versions and, therefore, allow all cinemas across the country to showcase Thalaivii to audiences, on the big screen,” the statement further added.
A multiplex owner from Hyderabad, however, told Silverscreen India about screening the Hindi version of the film, “It depends on what films are running at the time. It is a short window but the film may be able to attract a crowd. Let us see what happens. Currently, we should whatever we can to save the business.”
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Quoting a part of the PVR statement, Ranaut posted a note on Saturday, that read “PVR’s decision to screen the Tamil and Telugu versions of the film is a ray of hope for Team Thalaivii as well as all those cine-goers who are waiting to rush back to their favourite multiplex chain for a cinematic experience. I am personally moved by the kind words used for me and Team Thalaivii,” the actor wrote.
Expressing disappointment over the multiplex chain’s decision to not screen her film, Ranaut had earlier pointed out that films like Master and Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, which choose to release in theatres during the Covid-19 pandemic, were supported for their decision.
Thalaivii, which is based on the life of late actor and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, will be released in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. It is directed by filmmaker Vijay and produced by Vishnu Vardhan Induri and Shailesh R Singh.