Actors Ajith and Vijay are gearing up for the big Pongal box-office clash tomorrow i.e. Janaury 11, 2023 with their respective films - Thunivu and Varisu. While the first show of Thunivu in Tamil Nadu premieres as early as 1 AM, Varisu shows begin at 4 AM in the state. However these special show timings seem to be facing an impediment at the moment.
A copy of a circular issued by the Commissionerate of Revenue Administration and Disaster Management is doing the rounds on the internet, where Joint commissioner of Cinema and Irrigation - S. Senthamarai IAS, asks for 'remarks' from all district collectors in Tamil Nadu before 12 PM today.
No special show for #Thunivu and #Varisu from 13 to 16 January, but what about 10, 11, 12 January Mr S Senthamarai, JC (cinema and irrigation ) ? @CMOTamilnadu pic.twitter.com/m2ETnMlh3b
— Raghu VP / ரகு வி பி / രഘു വി പി (@Raghuvp99) January 10, 2023
The circular highlights filings from two Chennai petitioners, and the Tamil Nadu government's attention towards it. The petition specifically asks for
- No permission to be given to Vijay's Varisu or Ajith's Thunivu for 4 AM and 5 AM screening on January 13, 14, 15 and 16 i.e. Friday till Monday. Two of these four mentioned days are government holidays in Tamil Nadu for Pongal (January 15, Sunday) and Thiruvalluvar Day (January 16, Monday). [Uzhavar Thirunal (January 17, Tuesday) is also a government approved public holiday in the state].
- No permission to be given for anointing milk on cut-outs, as is the norm with star movie releases in Tamil Nadu.
- To print the name, designation, phone number and email of an officer in charge on the back of the movie ticket so that audience know whom and where to complain in the event of a ticket price or parking fee excess.
While it remains unknown what remarks were sent back to the commissionerate by the state district collectors, if implemented into an order, it could mean no early morning shows for Varisu and Thunivu all through the Pongal weekend.