
Tamil actor Vikram, who became popular in Telugu for his distinct roles in films like 'Aparichitudu' and 'I', has captivated everyone with his performance as a primitive man in the recently released film 'Thangalaan'. Vikram's transformation for his role in this movie has garnered widespread acclaim. Released on August 15, the film received mixed reviews. However, even before its release, Netflix secured the OTT rights for a hefty price. This has led cine lovers, who have been eagerly anticipating when the movie will arrive on OTT, to receive a shock from the prominent OTT company, Netflix. Let's delve into the details.



Netflix Backs Down!



The latest film starring Chiyaan Vikram, 'Thangalaan', a periodic action drama, was presented by Pa Ranjith. It was produced by K.E. Gnanavel Raja under the Studio Green Films banner in association with Neelam Productions. Featuring Parvathy Thiruvothu and Malavika Mohanan as the heroines, the movie was released in theaters in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada languages on August 15 and managed to stir a mixed response. The movie did not achieve the expected success, leading Netflix to reconsider their OTT deal for 'Thangalaan'. Reportedly, Netflix is demanding to lower the previously agreed sum for the OTT rights.







Release on Another OTT?



According to reports, the producers of 'Thangalaan' are not willing to comply with Netflix's demand to reduce the price for the OTT rights. With the producers rejecting this offer, there is talk in Kollywood circles that Netflix has canceled the OTT deal. As Netflix remains firm, the producers are intensifying efforts to offer 'Thangalaan' to another OTT platform. However, this process may take more time to complete. Until then, it seems unlikely that 'Thangalaan' will appear on any OTT platform soon, leaving cine lovers who are eagerly waiting a bit shocked.







Collections Nil!



The prominent Tamil producer K.E. Gnanavel Raja produced 'Thangalaan' with a budget of nearly ₹100 crores. Despite only average reviews, it was expected that the film would easily garner over ₹150 crores. However, unexpectedly, the film only grossed ₹105 crores and managed a net collection of just ₹70 crores. Regardless of the film's outcome, Vikram's performance was universally praised. His acting in 'Thangalaan' has been hailed as another milestone in his career, making everyone hopeful to watch the movie on OTT, only to be left disappointed by Netflix.







What's the Story?



Set in the 1850s during British rule in India, the story unfolds in a village called Veppur. Thangalaan (Vikram) lives there with his family. Under unforeseen circumstances, Thangalaan is forced to join an English lord named Clement in a quest for gold. This journey brings them face-to-face with bizarre experiences. Thangalaan dreams that a sorceress from the serpent tribe, Arati (Malavika Mohanan), is protecting the gold with her supernatural powers. But is she really guarding the gold? What challenges do Thangalaan and his team face because of her? What does Thangalaan learn through this journey? Did they finally discover the gold or not? That forms the crux of the story.






Netflix Shocker: ‘Thangalaan’ OTT Deal in Trouble After Box Office Struggles!


Cast: Vikram, Malavika Mohanan, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Pasupathy, Daniel Caltagirone, and others.



Director: Pa. Ranjith



Music: GV Prakash Kumar



Editing: Selva R.K.



Cinematography: A. Kishore Kumar



Producers: K.E. Gnanavel Raja, Pa. Ranjith, Jyoti Desh Pandey



Release Date: 15-08-2024



Having portrayed distinctive characters in films like 'Aparichitudu' and 'I', actor Vikram, who is also popular in Telugu cinema, has returned with another exciting movie, 'Thangalaan'. In this film, Vikram appears as a tribal man, and his transformation for the role has significantly heightened expectations among the audience. The trailer and teaser for the movie have doubled these expectations. Released worldwide on August 15, how did 'Thangalaan' fare? Has Vikram mesmerized once again with his performance? What was the cinematic experience like for the audience? Let’s explore in this review.







What's the Story?



Set during British rule in the 1850s, the story unfolds in a village called Veppur. Thangalaan (Vikram), living with his family, finds himself compelled to join a gold hunt with an Englishman named Clement due to unforeseen circumstances. This journey brings them face to face with bizarre experiences. Thangalaan is haunted by dreams where Aarathi (Malavika Mohanan), a tribal sorceress, uses her supernatural powers to protect the gold. But does she really safeguard the gold? What challenges do Thangalaan and his team face from her? What does Thangalaan learn on this journey? Did he ultimately discover the gold or not? That is the story.







How Did They Perform?



Vikram, as Thangalaan, was outstanding and made the character unforgettable. His portrayal as a tribal person, with the mannerisms and expressions, captivates everyone. This can be marked as another milestone in Vikram's career. Parvathy Thiruvothu, playing Thangalaan’s wife, was adequate in her role. Malavika Mohanan as Aarathi, the tribal leader, delivered the best performance of her career. Her looks and acting scared the audience and stood next to Vikram in terms of impact. Their action scenes together are particularly thrilling. Other actors performed well within their roles.







How's the Direction?



The film 'Thangalaan', primarily revolving around a gold hunt, is subtly portrayed by director Pa. Ranjith was a struggle of an oppressed class during the British era, highlighting racial discrimination. The world and characters created by the director transport the audience to a new realm. The people's attire and societal depiction are immersive. The journey of Thangalaan with the British in search of gold, and the challenges they face en route, build suspense. The scenes before the interval raise expectations for the second half, which, however, feels a bit detached as the story progresses. The pre-climax fight between the British, Thangalaan, and the tribal community leads to confusion, blurring the line between Thangalaan's dreams and reality. Yet, the director delivers a satisfying conclusion in the climax by revealing another dimension of Thangalaan's character.







Technically Speaking



Technically, the film is robust in many aspects. The costumes, makeup, and art departments have outdone themselves for this movie. The music by GV Prakash Kumar also complements the narrative well. The production values are high.







Plus Points:



- Story and narration



- Performances by Vikram and Malavika



- Fantasy elements



Minus Points:



- Pacing in the second half



- Slow narration



Telugu.YouSay.tv Rating: 3/5 


Thangalaan Review: Another Milestone in Vikram's Career


Following 'RRR', the highly anticipated film 'Game Changer' starring Ram Charan, directed by renowned director Shankar and produced by Telugu producer Dil Raju, is set to be a political action entertainer scheduled to release as a festive gift on January 10. As the release date approaches, the film's team is focusing on promotions, including locking in the date for the teaser release. It has been announced that the teaser will be released in Uttar Pradesh. Despite having two Telugu states, why is the teaser launch event planned in the North? It seems there is a master plan behind this decision.



When is the teaser?



In the upcoming film 'Game Changer,' Bollywood beauty Kiara Advani stars as the heroine alongside another heroine, Anjali, who plays a significant role. The film features Naveen Chandra, Sunil, Srikanth, Bollywood actor Harry Josh, Kollywood actors SJ Suryah, Samuthirakani, and Kannada actor Jayaram in key roles. Karthik Subbaraj provides the story, and Sai Madhav Burra delivers the dialogues. Recently, the movie team has fixed the teaser release for November 9th and announced that the launch event will take place in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.







Why in Lucknow?



Initially, the 'Game Changer' teaser launch event was planned to be held in Hyderabad. However, due to local conditions and permissions, the venue was shifted to Lucknow. Given the film's pan-India release, nationwide promotions are deemed crucial. The movie team believes that starting the official promotions in the North could enhance accessibility and engagement with the audience there. Moreover, starting from the teaser release, the team plans to keep the buzz alive by releasing updates every two weeks. Ram Charan is performing dual roles, and it remains to be seen if the teaser will reveal the looks of these two characters.







The First of its Kind!



Tamil cinema's leading director, Shankar, has directed numerous blockbuster hits such as 'Gentleman', 'Premikudu', 'Bharateeyudu', 'Jeans', 'Oke Okkadu', 'Boys', 'Aparichitudu', 'Sivaji', and 'Robo', which were all popular in Telugu through dubbing. 'Game Changer' marks Shankar’s first direct Telugu film, and it is also his first collaboration with Ram Charan. Known for making films with strong messages, Shankar has crafted 'Game Changer' in the same vein, and it appears the teaser has been cut to introduce its theme. It will be interesting to see how much the teaser excites the audience.







A Highlight for the Film!



Recently, the 'Game Changer' team released a special poster hinting at an upcoming teaser. It sparked interest with an image of Charan sitting at a table with numerous gangsters charging towards him, suggesting it's the film’s introduction scene. Rumors suggest this mob fight will give viewers goosebumps similar to 'RRR' and is expected to be a major highlight of the film. After the fight, Charan reportedly boards a helicopter, followed by the song 'Ra Macha Macha.'







Record Business?



Trade circles predict 'Game Changer' will do substantial business in the Telugu states, with potential theatrical business around ₹150 crores from Andhra Pradesh, Ceded, and Nizam areas. Originally, such high business figures were not anticipated when the film was scheduled for a December release. However, with the release now set for Sankranthi, the business expectations have significantly increased, according to film circles.






Game Changer Teaser Set to Drop in Lucknow: Ram Charan's High-Stakes Film Heads North for Pan-India Impact!


The upcoming film 'Game Changer', featuring the stellar combination of star director Shankar and mega power star Ram Charan, is set to release as a Sankranthi gift. Bollywood beauty Kiara Advani stars opposite Charan. As part of the movie promotions, two songs have recently been released to a great response. The makers are now gearing up to release a third song, which is currently causing quite a stir due to its extravagant budget. Let’s take a look at the details.



Rs. 20 Crores for a Single Song!



The first two songs from 'Game Changer', 'Jaragandi Jaragandi' and 'Ra Macha Macha', have received a positive reception. Particularly, 'Ra Macha Macha' has garnered millions of views on YouTube and is trending nationwide. The makers are now preparing to launch the third single by the end of October or the first week of November. While the first two songs were energetic, the third single is set to be a melody. According to the latest buzz, the budget for this third song is over Rs. 20 crores, though this has yet to be confirmed by the makers.







The Budget of Three Hit Films!



Recent Telugu releases 'Aay', 'Committee Kurrollu', and 'Mathu Vadalara 2' have been successful and well-received by audiences. These films were made on modest budgets and have achieved good box office returns. The combined budget of these three films is estimated at around Rs. 20 crores. Rumors that a single song from 'Game Changer' cost Rs. 20 crores are sparking debate. Reports suggest that the second single 'Ra Macha Macha' also had a budget of Rs. 6-10 crores, with hundreds of dancers performing in various costumes. The hefty spending on songs alone is drawing criticism.







Does Shankar Need to Change His Approach?



Tamil star director Shankar is known for the spectacular songs in his films, which have been a hallmark of movies like 'Bharateeyudu', 'Jeans', 'Oke Okkadu', 'Aparichitudu', 'Shivaji', 'Robo', 'Snehithudu', and 'Robo 2.0'. Shankar tries to provide a new experience to the audience by shooting songs in beautiful international locations. However, after a series of flops, there's growing concern among producers about Shankar's recent track record. The film community suggests that if Shankar doesn't adjust his approach, producers may be reluctant to work with him due to the high financial risks.







Record Price for OTT Rights!



The OTT rights for 'Game Changer' have reportedly been sold for a record price. Amazon Prime has acquired the streaming rights for Rs. 110 crores for the South Indian languages alone. The makers are also in talks to sell the Hindi digital rights to another streaming service. It is estimated that the total earnings from OTT could reach Rs. 150 crores. Even though 'Game Changer' is still two months away from release, selling the OTT rights for such a high amount is unprecedented in the industry.







Thandel vs Game Changer



'Game Changer' is officially set to release on January 10 as a Sankranthi gift. On the other hand, Naga Chaitanya’s 'Thandel' is also being prepped for a Sankranthi release. The industry buzz is keen on the clash between the heirs of Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna, who have faced off several times before. After the global success of 'RRR', Ram Charan is looking to solidify his stature with 'Game Changer'. Meanwhile, Chaitanya is determined to hit a success with 'Thandel' after the mixed responses to his recent projects. The battle between Charan and Chaitanya will be one to watch.






Ram Charan's 'Game Changer' Sets Records with ₹20 Crore Song and Massive OTT Deal

Aparichithudu

అపరిచితుడు

Even before the 'Kalki 2828 AD' mania has settled, another high-budget film is ready to grace the pan-Indian box office. As a sequel to Bharateeyudu, which was released almost 28 years ago, 'Bharateeyudu 2' is set to be released. Everyone knows the massive success achieved by the first part. Director Shankar has crafted this film following a similar storyline. Let's take a look at other Telugu movies that have tackled the theme of anti-corruption.


కల్కి 2828 ఏడి మేనియా ముగియక ముందే మరో భారీ బడ్జెట్ చిత్రం పాన్ ఇండియా బాక్సాఫీస్‌ను షేక్ చేసేందుకు సిద్ధమైంది.దాదాపు 28 ఏళ్ల క్రితం వచ్చిన భారతీయుడు చిత్రానికి సీక్వెల్‌గా భారతీయుడు 2 సినిమా విడుదల కానుంది. ఫస్ట్ ఫార్ట్ ఎంతటి ఘనవిజయం సాధించిందో అందరికి తెలిసిందే. అదే స్థాయిలో అదే స్టోరీ లైన్‌తో డైరెక్టర్ శంకర్ ఈ చిత్రాన్ని తెరకెక్కించారు. ఈ క్రమంలో అవినీతికి వ్యతిరేకంగా తెలుగులో వచ్చిన సినిమాలు ఓసారి చూద్దాం.


How was the movie?