| Globally
saleable Tamil heroes and expanding
worldwide market of Tamil films!! |
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This
is one of the best and most beneficial seasons
for Tamil films. You could say that considering
the impact that our films are making on
the international scene. At the ongoing
Cannes International Film Festival, a pioneering
effort has been started by one of our own
Chennai-based film entrepreneurs. AP International
has set up an impressive lounge at the festival
showcasing fine vignettes from South Indian
cinema. Arjundas Wadhwa, one of the partners
of AP, quite excited about the venture,
claims that Tamil films have a huge potential
globally. He rattles off facts to prove
his point. |
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Tamil
films throughout the year
Our industry has remained confined
to the state and some Tamil-speaking
pockets abroad like Sri Lanka, Malaysia,
Singapore and the Gulf countries.
As the economy opened up and more
and more Tamilians moved abroad, they
took along their passion for Tamil
films. No wonder today there is a
demand for latest films in areas as
far away as Japan, Denmark and Ireland. |
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Cashing
in on this spurt, big players like AP have
acquired or tied up with exhibitors in these
areas. Their idea is to cater to the growing
demand by screening Tamil films throughout
the year. It would also help in streamlining
availability of films if there is a consistent
schedule of screening. |
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Evergreen
appeal of Superstar Rajinikanth
The most popular film of the past
year was no doubt, ‘Chandramukhi’,
which raked in about 2.5 million dollars
and was much in demand in hitherto
unknown areas like South Africa, Turkey,
Switzerland and Germany. This once
again proves the evergreen appeal
of Superstar Rajinikanth. According
to Wadhwa, the biggest star in India
is none other than Rajinikanth, the
lead actor of Chandramukhi. “He
charges Rs.20 crore a film and yet
his box office power is such that
producers have no issues with what
he charges,” he says.
Rajinikanth has a remarkable screen
presence and the reasons for his popularity
are not difficult to understand |
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Besides,
his films always carry a humanistic and
universal touch and a large dose of sentiment
without melodrama. |
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For
audiences living miles away from friends
and relatives, nothing would be more
welcome than a popular commercial
movie which speaks their lingo to
connect to their roots. Oh, how could
we forget, the music! All the songs
in Rajini’s movies are invariably
foot-tapping numbers which lighten
the pain of separation. Since the
days of ‘Muthu’ a decade
ago, Rajini’s films have been
steadily showing a rise even in unconventional
markets like Japan and Hong Kong.
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Anniyan’s
amazing business
Wadhwa also says that the past year’s
other big grosser, ‘Anniyan’
did business worth 2 million dollars.
The overseas rights include theatres,
home videos, television and audio.
Hence, it is a recurring return. He
also said that films got much wider
coverage now than before and could
be marketed easily. Thanks to Internet.
Therefore, people abroad wanted to
watch a film as soon as it was released.
Hence, there was scope for exploring
the pastures across the seas.
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AP
International to distribute ‘Sivaji’
The growing popularity abroad
of the crossover films has made Sivaji
Productions enter this genre with
a film titled Delhi Heights. This
film has received good response thanks
to the presence of some heavyweight
names.
The next film on AP International’s
overseas offering is, predictably,
another Rajnikanth starrer –
‘Sivaji’. |
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Being
peddled as the most expensive film ever
made in India, it is scheduled for release
in 2007. The film is being made under the
AVM banner, one of the oldest and most respected
film companies in Tamil Nadu. |
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The
global heroes
All
in all it is great to learn that at
last, Tamil films are not only entertaining
but also make good business sense.
Right now only the big names like
Rajinikanth, Manirathnam, Kamal Hassan,
Vikram and Vijay help increase the
rate of returns for the producers.
If the quality of our films becomes
better, it would be possible to find
niche audiences for them as well.
Anyone listening? |
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