The
Pongal race at the box office is already
underway. The releases are yet to
hit theatres but the competition has
already begun and going by the look
of things it is going to be really
interesting. All three movies are
in the action genre and this puts
everyone on an even keel. It is going
to be a test of star power at the
box office.
In the race this time are Vijay’s Pokkiri,
Ajith’s Aalwar and Vishaal’s Thaamirabarani.
The films have received very good reports from
advance booking counters throughout Chennai
city. It looks as if at least one of the three
films can be declared a hit even before it opens
on screens for Pongal.
Pokkiri and Aalwar are releasing on the 14th
and Thaamirabarani is releasing on the 15th
and all three have already cashed in on the
lengthy Pongal weekend if reports are to be
believed. According to trade sources, all tickets
for Pokkiri in Chennai city have been sold out
till the 21st of the month. That is one week
of shows booked in advance. Out of this the
first two days have been taken up by Vijay fans
exclusively.
As for Aalwar, it too has received a very good
response with tickets being sold out till the
18th. A shade behind Pokkiri, but with one more
day to go before release, things are expected
to improve.
Tickets for Thaamirabarani will not be available
until after the 17th of the month. However,
noon show slots remain open. But, even this
response (three days of shows booked) is very
good for an actor who is doing only his fifth
film.
One can’t help wonder whether the ticket
price revision by the government has a major
role to play in the whopping bookings received.
As for Pokkiri, the euphoria is only understandable
as a Vijay film is releasing after one year.
The last was Aadhi for Pongal 2006. The real
picture of hit, average and flop will emerge
only after the first week. Till then, the Pongal
releases will bask in the glory of advance bookings.
