Despite their immense popularity, Tamil films often face challenges regarding nationwide distribution in India. The recent release of superstar Rajinikanth’s film Vettaiyan saw limited screenings, leaving many fans, particularly in Hindi-speaking regions, disappointed. A growing trend among national multiplex cinema chains and Tamil film producers has led to a clash over the timing of OTT releases, affecting the number of screens available for major Tamil films.
The Eight-Week OTT Dilemma for National Multiplex Chains
One of the major reasons for this issue is the requirement set by national multiplex chains, which demands that filmmakers sign an eight-week contract. This contract stipulates that a film cannot be released on OTT platforms before completing eight weeks in theaters. For Tamil films, this policy presents a significant hurdle, as producers prefer releasing their films on OTT within four weeks, sometimes even as soon as two weeks, to maximize viewership and earnings from both platforms.
Rajinikanth’s Vettaiyan was one of the latest films to be affected by this policy. The film wasn’t screened by major multiplex chains, which led to limited options for fans who were eagerly waiting to watch it on the big screen. A similar issue was faced by his previous blockbuster Jailer, which too saw a delay in wide national release.
Tamil Film Producers’ OTT Strategy
Unlike in Hindi-speaking regions, where movies gain momentum over time, Tamil films tend to attract large crowds right from the first day. Most of the viewership comes in the first weekend, making an early OTT release financially viable for the producers. OTT platforms provide a lucrative deal for Tamil filmmakers, who can secure a substantial chunk of revenue from digital releases soon after the film’s theatrical debut.
However, national multiplex cinema chains are keen on maintaining the traditional eight-week theatrical window to prevent immediate competition from OTT platforms. This has created a stand-off, with Tamil filmmakers often choosing to release their films early on OTT, thereby sacrificing national multiplex screenings.
Recent Examples of Screen Limitations
Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay’s recent film GOAT also faced the same issue. Due to the producers’ decision to skip the eight-week contract, the movie wasn’t shown on major multiplex screens, restricting its availability to Tamil-speaking regions. The same situation arose with Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2, which, after four weeks of theatrical run, was pulled from multiplexes and released on OTT, leading to legal action from the cinema chains.
Upcoming Challenges for Tamil Films
The upcoming film Kanguva, starring Suriya, Bobby Deol, and Disha Patani, is also expected to encounter similar challenges. With the film set for a multi-language release, adhering to the eight-week OTT policy of national multiplex chains will be crucial for its nationwide screening. Fans and industry insiders are keenly watching how Suriya and his producers navigate this situation, as it could set a precedent for future Tamil blockbusters.
