Status of Tamil Cinema and likely 2020 Theatrical Releases :-

 


NOTABLE TAMIL FILMS LIKELY TO RELEASE IN 2020 :- 

Almost all work on Vijay's Master is complete and all that's needed is a couple of days to get the first copy ready. But the film is unlikely to release before Diwali 2020 since crores and crores of investment is at stake, Europe the worst affected continent in Coronavirus pandemic happens to be Vijay's foothold and is also the biggest Tamil overseas market after Malaysia/USA.

Even then things will remain uncertain since there is possibility of theaters re-opening full fledged only by Christmas or might take as long as Summer 2021.

Suriya's Soorarai Pottru will also have same level of uncertainties. After completing filming in September 2019 Soorarai Pottru was in final stages of post production in March when coronavirus halted work in non-essential industries. The problem here is a film which released teaser in January can't wait for too long for a good release date after theaters reopen since it will fracture the hype. 

Dhanush's Jagame Thanthiram, Jayam Ravi's Bhoomi were in line to finish censor formalities and release in May 1st. Though they couldn't release in the said date, they are unlikely to miss 2020 release.

Sivakarthikeyan's DOCTOR, Dhanush's Karnan, Vishal's Chakra & Vijay Sethupathi's Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kilir were in final stages of shooting and will resume work after Tamil Nadu Government grants them permission. They are also expected to release in 2020.

Vijay Sethupathi's Maamanithan wrapped shooting long back but remains unreleased because of financial disputes. Vikram's Cobra has crucial shoot pending includes a foreign schedule and extensive VFX so its chances of releasing in 2020 is 50:50.

Though Sivakarthikeyan's Ayalaan will complete shooting this year it can release in 2021 only because of heavy VFX work.

Suriya's Aruvaa is being planned as a quickie but under current circumstances it has very little options other than moving to Summer 2021 along with Ajith's Valimai & Dhanush-Karthick Naren film.



Restarting Ponniyin Selvan & Thupparivaalan 2 is going to be the hardest task for respective production companies. For Ponniyin Selvan all actors have to rearrange their dates to suit the film's new schedules, another headache for the lead actors is in maintaining their hair/getup even If they happened to do other films.

For example Karthi has been having at least one release every year from 2010 but will be missing out this year because of coronavirus pandemic. Karthi was supposed to complete his portions in the first part of Ponniyin Selvan and return to complete work on Sultan. If Ponniyin Selvan is slightly delayed and Karthi changes his look for Sultan it won't be possible for him to participate in Ponniyin Selvan If shoot commences shortly after he restarts Sultan.

I can't imagine what's going through the mind of Vishal. Coronavirus is still at large in UK. When and how can work be resumed on Thupparivaalan 2 is a hypothetical question. In the meantime Vishal is planning to do a film with Muthaiah (Marudhu) while Karthi is in talks with PS Mithran for a quickie provided the role Mithran has written for him allows him to maintain continuity with his Ponniyin Selvan look.