Suriya's Vishwanath and Sons has opened in theatres worldwide on Friday, August 14. But a week before its release, fans and moviegoers alike found that prominent theatres in Chennai had not opened bookings for the film. Even as this delay was being discussed, theatre owners, on Thursday, clarified what caused the delay, with some theatres even failing to screen the film.
On Thursday night, Nikilesh Surya, manager of Rohini Silver Screen in Chennai, announced that Vishwanath and Sons, helmed by Venky Atluri, will not be screened in the popular theatre. The news took fans and audiences aback, as the theatre is one of the popular ones where celebrations for a film's first day-first show commonly take place.
However, on Friday morning, Nikilesh announced, "Everything is fine as long as it ends well." Continuing our streak of never having missed a screening of a Suriya Sir film or an AGS Production release in the last 20 years. # TheONE is here. Thanks to Archana Kalpathi and Aishwarya Kalpathi, team AGS and a set of mutual well-wishers for taking across our request to the concerned parties and helping resolve the matter," clarifying that the film is indeed hitting theatres.
Similarly, Rakesh Gowthaman, proprietor of Vettri Theatre in Chrompet, Chennai, said on Thursday night, "Really sorry to Suriya sir and all his Anbana fans … This was never intended, but unfortunately, the negotiations regarding the commercial terms for #VishwanathAndSons did not work out positively. After much discussion, the final decision is to skip the release at #Vettri, Chennai, alone. #VAS will continue to release at both our Tindivanam & Tiruchengode branches. Wishing the entire team a massive success and hoping VAS follows the phenomenal success of #Karuppu …"
However, once again at midnight on Friday, Rakesh clarified, "Enna kadhaiye puriyama, Nalla thittuneenga pa. #VAS releasing in #Vettri tomorrow. Bookings opening in 30 minutes … All cool, bros … Good night." The bookings then opened post midnight on Friday.
Also starring Mamitha Baiju, Radikaa Sarathkumar and Raveena Tandon, Vishwanath and Sons has Suriya playing an affluent single father, whose much-younger employee, played by Mamitha Baiju, falls in love with him. The film is expected to explore emotional themes like intergenerational romance.
Naga Vamsi is backing the film under the Sithara Entertainments banner along with Sai Soujanya, who has also produced it under Fortune Four Cinemas. Srikara Studios is presenting the film. GV Prakash is composing music, Nimish Ravi is the cinematographer, and Navin Nooli is the editor.