Kamal Haasan's film, 'Thoongaa Vanam', has seen successful bookings in Tamil Nadu, but its release in Karnataka has been stalled due to a language-related controversy, impacting its overall business.
Kamal Haasan's new film, 'Thoongaa Vanam', is currently embroiled in a significant controversy. While the film has created a buzz in Tamil Nadu with crores of rupees in advance bookings before its release, its release in Karnataka faces b opposition. Significantly, no screens are currently available for 'Thoongaa Vanam' in Karnataka. This dispute stems from a comment made by Kamal Haasan regarding language, which has paved the way for a ban on the film's release in Karnataka.
'Thoongaa Vanam's' Impressive Pre-Bookings in Tamil Nadu
Kamal Haasan's 'Thoongaa Vanam' is already proving to be a box office hit in Tamil Nadu even before its release. Reports suggest that advance bookings in Tamil Nadu have reached approximately ₹4 crore, considered the highest pre-booking for a film this year. Tamil audiences are highly enthusiastic about Kamal Haasan's new project, and a large turnout is expected on the day of the film's release.
Not a Single Screen Available in Karnataka
Conversely, the situation in Karnataka is completely different. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has explicitly stated that 'Thoongaa Vanam' will not be released in the state until Kamal Haasan issues an apology. No screens have been allocated for the film in Karnataka so far, potentially causing significant financial losses for the makers. The Karnataka market is considered substantial for Tamil films, making this lack of release a major setback for the producers.
Producers Approach the High Court
The film's producers have approached the Karnataka High Court regarding this controversy. They argue that halting the release of an entire film due to a single actor's statement is unfair, as it impacts both the film's crew and the audience. Despite this, the Karnataka Film Chamber remains firm in its decision, preventing the film's release in its theaters. This is likely to significantly impact the film's opening day collection, as Karnataka represents a major market, and its absence will cause substantial losses.
Expected Earnings from 'Thoongaa Vanam'
Box office analysts predict that the film could earn ₹30-35 crore in India on its opening day. This could be the biggest opening of Kamal Haasan's career. Had the film released in Karnataka, this figure could have reached ₹40 crore. However, under the current circumstances, a loss of ₹5-6 crore is anticipated.
Slow Start in Kerala, but Hope from Word-of-Mouth
Advance bookings for 'Thoongaa Vanam' have been slow in Kerala. Film distributors believe that the audience there relies heavily on word-of-mouth. That is, if the film receives positive reviews and public response, viewership could increase rapidly.
Kamal Haasan's previous film, 'Vikram,' also received a b response in Kerala after its release. Therefore, the makers hope that 'Thoongaa Vanam' will eventually find its audience there.
Direct Competition with 'Housefull 5'
Interestingly, 'Thoongaa Vanam' is releasing on June 5th, while Akshay Kumar's much-anticipated film, 'Housefull 5', will hit theaters on June 6th. Both films have a massive fan following. Although one is a Tamil film and the other is Hindi, targeting different audiences, their box office clash will be interesting to watch.
What Do Cinema Trade Analysts Say?
Cinema trade analyst Ramesh Bala believes that Kamal Haasan's film, 'Thoongaa Vanam', is technically excellent and impressive. The film is directed by veteran and successful director Mani Ratnam, who has always managed to draw audiences to theaters. He stated that if the controversy surrounding the film is resolved quickly, it will receive a good response from the audience in Karnataka, and its business will improve.
