While there’s a steady inflow of new releases every week, Tamil cinema still grapples with last minute delays and cancellation of shows, disappointing scores of fans. Of the four films that were scheduled to hit the screens on May 9 and 10, three of them have been postponed for reasons unknown.
Jai-Varalaxmi Sarathkumar-Rai Laxmi’s Neeya 2 was pushed to May 24. And now, Vishal’s Ayogya, the remake of the Telugu hit Temper, which was to release on Friday was called off at the eleventh hour on Thursday evening. The makers have not officially disclosed the reason for this unexpected postponement yet.
Vishal put up a cryptic tweet expressing his disappointment over the delay.
As I wait. For my hardwork called #ayogya to release. I did my best.more than an https://t.co/nThd9d438M always. I groomed my child since it came on my lap.BUT.not enuf??? #gajjnimohamed. My time will come. I continue my journey Gb pic.twitter.com/yjKHQitJ7O
— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) May 9, 2019
However, discussion inside film circles are that the film might release as scheduled on May 10. A representative from Kasi Cinemas says "Vishal's Ayogya is hopeful of releasing today. We will know by afternoon of the negotiations were successful or not."
A glimmer of hope! Last minute hectic negotiations are going on to release #Ayogya Today, as stake holders are trying to hammer out a deal! Really hope for @VishalKOfficial that the film releases and matters are sorted out.
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) May 10, 2019
#Ayogya issues to be sorted out with next few hours..
— Naganathan (@Nn84Naganatha) May 10, 2019
Shows likely to start from matinee show..
It is also interesting to note that the other two films - Atharva’s 100 and Jiiva’s Kee, have faced similar delays in the past.
While the Atharva starrer 100 was scheduled to hit the screens on May 3, the film’s release was pushed unexpectedly to May 9 and then to May 10. As of Friday, the day of its release, things still look bleak for the film as it seems to have hit a roadblock in its negotiations.
#100TheMovie Financial issues yet to be solved..
— Naganathan (@Nn84Naganatha) May 10, 2019
Release on hold as of now.
The May 3 weekend went under-utilised with Gautham Karthik’s Devarattam being the only release that ran that weekend. Devarattam released on Wednesday, for the Labour Day holiday, and went on to become the sole box-office occupier that entire week.
As for Jiiva’s Kee, the film has had the longest delay so far. Speaking to TNM, the film’s director Kalees said, “The film was scheduled to release on February 2018 but one delay led to another and finally we’ve been able to release after more than a year.” The director had also remarked that a previous loss faced by Kee’s producer had hindered his film’s release. Notably, the team had wrapped up Kee by the end of 2017.
Of the other indefinitely delayed projects in Tamil cinema are Gautham Menon’s Dhruva Natchiathiram and Enai Nokki Payum Thotta, Nayanthara’s Kolayudhir Kaalam, Trisha’s Garjanai, and Karthik Naren’s Naragasooran.