Suresh Kamatchi-backed Eelam Tamil film Salliyargal, which was slated to release on the big screens on Thursday for New Year, has pulled off from being released in theatres. The producer who backed the film under his V House Productions, announced the decision after he revealed that the team was given only 27 theatres. As a result of these issues, the film has now been directly released on streaming platform OTT plus.
At a press meet held recently, Suresh Kamatchi voiced his angst and anger over major theatrical chains refusing to allot screens for the film. "How can a film be released with just 27 theatres? Because of that, our film didn’t get a theatrical release. Even though no big film was released at that time, we still weren’t given theatres," he said, noting that PVR did not allot even a single screen.
"We have made a film about the Tamil people and the Eelam struggle, a film meant for our people. It is such a struggle to release a film made for our people here. PVR, in particular, did not allot even a single screen. Despite requesting and holding talks for theatres, we did not get any. When we called, they didn’t even pick up the phone. Are all the theatres really running to full capacity that they couldn’t allot us a single screen?" he probed.
Sharing his concern for other small-budget films that face similar issues, Suresh Kamatchi criticised theatrical chains and associations for practising a form of "modern untouchability" by not providing these films the opportunity and respect that is given to big-budget, star-led films. "Why do these people, who focus on unnecessary matters, fail to regulate corporate exhibitors? Why hasn’t a concrete plan been made to ensure small films are released in theatres like PVR? Nothing will change unless everyone comes together and fights collectively," he said.
He further underlined that these issues would continue cropping up if not taken seriously and associations fail to arive at a common solution. "Who are they to decide that a film won’t run? Give the theatre. If the film doesn’t work, remove it. That’s fine. But have they even watched the film before deciding? No. Then on what basis do they refuse to allot theatres at all?" he asked, stating that it was "shameful" that corporate exhibitors, who have come from elsewhere and now dominate the space here, can decide that an Eelam Tamil film should not be released.
He questioned whether such exhibitors could ever say they wouldn’t release a film rooted in local communities in Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh, or deny theatres there. "They can’t, because those industries are properly regulated, and small films are allowed to run," he said.
He cited Raju Weds Rambai, a small-budget film that went on to collect Rs 22 crore, pointing out that it succeeded simply because it was given adequate theatre screens. "Have we made a good film? Will people come to watch it? We don’t even get the chance to find out," he lamented.
Accusing exhibitors of profiting from big films while crushing smaller ones, he warned that if this continues, Tamil cinema will slowly die—"it is already almost dead," he said, adding that if the situation persists, there will be nothing left.
Announcing his decision to release Salliyargal on OTT PLUS, Kamatchi appealed to Tamils across the world to watch and support the film. "I request everyone to support this film and make its success a fitting lesson to those who chose to ignore a good film," he said.
Salliyargal stars Sathyadevi, Karunaas, Thirumurugan, Janaki, Mahendran, Nagaraj, Priya, Anand Sounderarajan, Mohan, and Santhosh in leading roles. Set against the Tamil Eelam war backdrop, the story follows brave doctors working in an underground bunker, risking their lives to save both allies and enemies. On the technical team, the film has music by Ken and Eshwar, cinematography by Sibi Sathasivam and editing by CM Elangovan.
