Theri Preview :-

THERI :-

Vijay’s emotional action drama is the only film among the 3 to have officially confirmed its release date since day 1 as April 14th which is just a few hours away. The film is directed by Atlee for whom this is also is a crucial film, the 2nd film Test post the success of his debut film Raja Rani which grossed over 50 crores Worldwide. If Vijay and Atlee are not good reasons to create buzz, there is Producer Kalaipuli S Thanu. 

V CREATIONS BRAGGING ARTIST THANU :-

One among the last surviving traditional film producers of Tamil cinema, this smart old confident man had the rare gift of working with Rajinikanth ( Latest union Kabali), Vijay (Theri, Thuppakki and more), Ajith (Kandukondain Kandukondain), Kamal Haasan (Aalavandhan) & Suriya (Kaakha Kaakha) . Now coming to the point, Thanu is the one who invented techniques of how to create buzz among audience for films through some loose talks. There are circumstances where his words came true and then are exceptions where his predictions went wrong . Ever since the day Theri began principal photography, Thanu had been often saying that this film will be 10 times more entertaining than Thuppakki, a film which he earlier produced with Vijay that went to become a big hit and a trendsetter, along with all the bragging came a lot of demands, not from the distributors but from Thanu himself who has demanded prices that are much above Vijay’s market potential . For example, Vijay’s Thuppakki generated 45 crores revenue for distributors, till today that remains Vijay’s best in TN. What actually shocked distributors was when Thanu demanded 50+ crores for TN Theatrical Rights and Thanu’s statement that he had invested 80 crores on the film in which Vijay’s salary alone covering 30 crores, evoked negative reactions from trade experts who felt this film doesn’t really look as grand as Thanu says it is . 

UNEXPECTED TROUBLE :- 

Usually a film starring Vijay will easily get sold out to distributors much before shooting is completed. But in Theri’s case, the theatrical sales remained incomplete even after the first copy was ready for theatrical release. Distributors were hesitating to shell out that much money for the film, apart from Puli’s failure, this being the crucial 2nd film test for Director Atlee was also among the reasons for distributors staying back, contrary to what everyone has been thinking, its been many years since distributors made some good profits from top star films with Singam, Mankatha, Thuppakki, Singam II & Vedalam being exceptions. To make it more precise, with every top star film distribution biz is getting more risky and less profitable . 

VULNERABLE STATUS OF DISTRIBUTORS & THEATER OWNERS :- 

What distributors expected was If they get Theri for 45 crores, it’ll generate upto 50 crores revenue for them If it gets Blockbuster talk, just about 5 crores profit, but when the rights itself is as high as 50 crores, imagine how vulnerable they are in facing losses . However with the Trailer generating good buzz two weeks back, some distributors kept their fears aside and decided to gamble. Still Chengalpet theater exhibitors we’re reluctant pay MG as TN government announced that hiking ticket prices were illegal If it happens, they’ll face severe backlash, when chances of recovering MG comes down by almost 50%, many exhibitors in Chengalpet area we’re reluctant to screen the film, some even had to put a notice showing ”Theri not releasing here" so that fans won’t be wasting time waiting for the ticket bookings to begin. It was hoped that Theri will take a grand opening ranging from 13 to 14 crores or a little less and depending on smaller centers response in TN, it has potential to gross upto 16 crores on its opening day in TN and upto 30 crores Worldwide. But In case Chengalpet release doesn’t get cleared, then Theri stands to lose almost 4 crores gross in TN, the damage will be huge in long run. 

Approx Breakeven Status :- 

TN - 80 crores (63 crores If there is no Chengalpet release) 
KE - 16 crores 
KA - 11 crores 
AP/TG - 14 to 15 crores 
Rest of India - 2.5 crores 
Overseas - 45 crores 
Worldwide Breakeven point @ around 170 crores