4 days to Diwali!

It is almost certain that Diwali 2008, will see a shootout between Ajit’s action adventure Aegan directed by Raju Sundaram and Bharath’s family action formula Seval, directed by hit maker Hari. A third film with newcomers Megham is also releasing in limited centers.

The exit of Gautham Menon-Surya mega movie Vaaranam Aayiram from the race has made Diwali lose its sheen. Added to that Madhavan’s Guru En Aalu and Prakash Raj’s Abhiyum Naanum were also postponed. Remember traditionally in the past, four or six films have released for the festival.

Last year it was battle royale when Vijay’s Azhagiya Tamil Magan Surya’s Vel, Dhanush’s Polladhavan, Pritviraj’s Kannanmoochi Yaenada, Jeevan’s Machakaran and a film with newcomers Agra, made it for Diwali.

Tiruppur Subramaniam, the veteran Coimbatore based leading distributor says: “This Diwali the competitive edge, which is essence of the Diwali race, is missing.” For the first time in the history of Tamil cinema, actually only two films are releasing for Diwali, which the trade feels is definitely a dampener.

Meanwhile Aegan advance booking has been good, with Sathyam, Inox, Shanti, Abirami, Udayam and AVM Rajeswari in Chennai city reporting, that they are sold out for the first four days. Mayajaal is giving it 45 shows daily, the same record number of shows with which Dasavatharam opened. The film will have nearly 415 prints and Qubes, for worldwide release.

As far as Seval is concerned it is hot in the market as Hari is a director with a MG. And his last release in Diwali 2007, Vel was very profitable for theatres and distributors who took it on MG. So Seval is getting good MG’s from all over Tamilnadu, and the trade buzz is that it may emerge as the dark horse of Diwali!

Bharat Creations, the US distributors of Aegan confirmed that the prints have reached him and the film will be released on Oct 24th as scheduled, a day ahead of India release. Says Mohan of Bharat Creations : “Though only 12 prints were planned for Aegan. But due to demand, two additional prints are ordered making it a total of 14 prints”

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Source: sify.com