Another Washout Weekend at the Box Office

Except for Tamil Producer Council, nobody seems to be in love for small movies. This week saw 5 low budget/quality Tamil movies swarming the theatres -- Aayiram Muthangaludan Thenmozhi, Kadhal Pisase, Nanda Nandita, Kandha and re-released Vengayam. The only movie which opened well this week in cities this week is the much expected Hindi movie starring Saif Ali Khan, Agent Vinod. 

Agent Vinod 

Agent Vinod(Hindi) has been termed as the best opener for Saif Ali Khan solo starrer movie. The movie has been buzzing because of the director Sriram Raghavan who directed cult classics such as Ek Hasina Thi andJohnny Gaddhar. The director has failed to satisfy neither the classes nor the masses this time. The movie is touted as average and appreciated only for the rich technical values. The critics blamed the unwanted scenes and songs in this lengthy nuclear espionage movie lacking thrills. Nevertheless, the movie has already recovered 50% of the invested money of Rs. 60 Crores. The first weekend collection is already close to Rs. 20 Crores. Agent Vinod will recover money for all its investors if it crosses Rs. 30 Crores, which should happen sometime during this week. So, no damages expected.

Tamil DUDS 

Aayiram Muthangaludan Thenmozhi aroused some curiosity with targeted promotions through prominent Tamil journals and the PRO working overtime by releasing photos of the cast and crew with Kamal Haasan. The movie's poor screenplay and low quality making is not helping the cause. Not sure why Kamal let people (mis)use him for promoting such movies. 

Kadhal Pisase directed and acted by newcomer Aravind created very little expectations and that too, largely due to Santhanam on the posters. The word from the starved fans is that Santhanam is totally wasted and the director should go back to Toronto Film Institute to re-do his course work.

Cheran re-released Vengaayam. The movie is expected to face similar dull reception again at the turnstile.

Nandha Nandhita is easily adjusted the worst movie of the weekend. No reviews available for Kandha.

Update: Mudhalvar Mahatma was slated to release on Friday. It has been appreciated by Anna Hazare, who had not seen a movie in the last 40 years. The movie is made to support anti-corruption. It has an interesting premise of Mahatma Gandhi becoming the Mudhalvar of the state. The movie pulled out from release last minute.