Gemini vs AGS Duel - Thuppakki not in AGS screens

Gemini and AGS have been locking horns over Thuppakki release in AGS screens. The issues are intertwined like spaghetti which make it complicated for quick resolution. Gemini Film Circuit(GFC) bought the International distribution rights out-bidding Ayngaran for record price of Rs. 12 Crores. The first copy of Maattrraan got ready only 48 hours prior to release due to delays in Harris completing his re-recording. The international centers were the ones that got most impacted due to these delays. For e.g., Maaattrraan did not have preview shows in many centres in Malaysia, UK, USA and failed to release during the first week in the UAE because the movie was not ready with Arabic sub-titles necessary for middle east censoring. This resulted in an estimated loss to the tune of around Rs. One Crore for international sub-distributors of Maattrraan. Gemini has been claiming refund for the losses they had incurred due to delayed delivery of prints. While this issue is still raging between the two parties, Gemini has taken a drastic measure by not releasing both its home productions, Thuppakki and Poda Podi, in AGS screens.

Root Cause of the Problem

AGS sources claim that the Maattrraan's re-recording was delayed because Harris Jayaraj got pulled to work on Gemini's Thuppakki audio release and re-recording work during the last 2 weeks of Maattrraan's release. Since the root-cause of Maattrraan's delay is pointing to Gemini, this issue has become convoluted, sticky with possible legal intervention.

Thuppakki not releasing in AGS will be a losing Proposition for both

A mutual resolution is also worked by middle-men in the trade since the decision of not releasing Thuppakki in AGS will affect the collection for both exhibitors and distributors (e.g., AGS centers at Villivakkam and Navalaru are expected to be bring in around Rs.1 Crore during the entire run of Thuppakki).