Will Bheema & Co have an impact on Billa & Co?

Although the box office this weekend is rife with movies that gross fairly well – and one even rising to the stature of a super hit – come Pongal, they face stiff competition from more than half a dozen movies. Pongal, as is customary to many festivals in South India, witnesses stampedes of movies at theaters. To cash in on the long weekend, it is only natural that producers decide to flood the theatres with releases.

The main contenders of the Pongal race that could pose a threat to the existing players would be Bheema, Kaalai and Pirivom Sandhipom. Not to mention, Vadivelu is back with his comic caper Indralogathil Na Azhagappan. Trade hasn’t quite forgotten what business he has done with his earlier outing as ‘Imsai Arasan’. Then there is the Perarasu directed formula fare Pazhani with Bharath in the lead. Given the fact that both Bharath and Perarasu are desperate for a hit, Pazhani’s credibility at the box office needs to be trusted. That apart, we have the mushy (as in - romantic entertainer) Vazhthukal starring Madhavan and Bhavana and Pidichirukku with debutants.

Of the existing movies, frontrunner Billa has been showing acceleration in its business every week. Although already declared a hit, Billa’s business could face a blow with new releases flooding the theaters for Pongal. That leaves us with two more hits that are still running at the box-office. Them being Polladhavan and Vel. Having made enough moolah already Pongal could mark the swan song of Polladhavan and Vel.

Now it all depends on the new releases to decide the business at the ticket counters. Will they live up to their hype and hoopla or just prove to be storm in a coffee cup? It doesn’t anyways take too long to find out with Pongal just around the corner. Come back on Friday for Behindwoods Top 10 movies at the box office. We will have the clear winners and losers of the Pongal race.