Thalaivii V/S Multiplexes: Why the Hindi version of the Kangana Ranaut starrer won't release in multiplexes and what could it imply

Kangana Ranaut starrer Thalaivii is all set to hit the theatres this week. The film, which is about the life of Jayalalithaa, would release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. One of the things that Kangana has been expressing her dismay about is the fact that major multiplex chains have refused to screen the film. In fact, after she had appealed, PVR agreed to screen the film in its chains- but only the Tamil and the Telugu version. In this piece, we intent to decode what happened between the makers of Thalaivii and the multiplex chains that the latter refused to screen the film even in these desperate times, and why the Hindi version of the film won't be available even in PVR. We would also look at what this could mean to Thalaivii's business.

Why are multiplexes refusing to screen Thalaivii?

The makers of Thalaivii had earlier said that the film is a visual treat. There is much that has been put into it and a OTT only release would not do justice. However, the makers had decided that just two weeks after the film's theatrical release, Thalaivii would be releasing on OTT as well. This two week window is what has angered the multiplex chain owners.

Multiplex chain owners had appealed to the makers that the window be increased to at least four weeks. However, the makers disagreed.

Why are the makers disagreeing?

Thalaivii producer Vishnuvardhan Induri told ETimes, “We have to also make sure that we recover our investment. The theatre owners should support us because we are taking the risk of releasing the film in theatres despite the fact that as producers we have got returns from non-theatrical platforms.”

What happened next?

The makers of Thalaivii were able to push the release of the Tamil and Telugu versions of the film by two more weeks. So while the Tamil and Telugu versions will release on OTT four weeks after its theatrical release, the Hindi version will still release two weeks after theatrical release.

Why is Kangana Ranaut upset?

Kangana Ranaut was, naturally, heartbroken at the news. She had written, “In these times we must support each other and not bully or arm twist; it’s our fundamental right to recover the cost of our film which we did, we may have two weeks window for Hindi version but for South, we have four weeks window yet multiplexes ganging up on us and stopping our release there as well…This is unfair and cruel in these testing times when major territories like Maharashtra are also shut…Please let’s help each other in order to save theatres.”

She also claimed that for films like Radhe: multiplexes were okay to release the film despite it releasing on OTT first. This claim is unverified. Kangana also retweeted a tweet that claimed that 'Kya Sonam Gupta Bewafaa Hai' would release on theatres and OTT simultaneously, but Thalaivii is being left out. Here too, it is not verified if the Surbhi Jyoti film would release in multiplex chains at all.

PVR's statement:

PVR decided to showcase the Tamil and Telugu versions of the film from 10th September after the window was increased to four weeks. At the same time, the multiplex chain also appealed that the window for the release of the Hindi version on the OTT is increased.

What does it mean for box-office?

It is known to almost all of us that single theatres have dwindled in numbers. Especially after the pandemic, several single theatres have closed and even before that, single theatres were remodelled to something else. Major cities like Delhi or Kolkata for example have only a few single theatres compared to several multiplex chains like PVR, Inox or Cinepolis.

Again, a number of small states, don't have theatres open. All this would basically mean that the collection that the film could have made would be severely hampered. Major chunk of the box-office comes from multiplex chains in major cities, and that would not be possible.