Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018 has already become the highest grossing Malayalam movie ever
Director Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018 is all set to test waters across India with its other language versions. The Malayalam movie, which was reportedly made on a budget of Rs 30 crore, has already amassed Rs 139 Cr from worldwide box office and has become the highest grossing film in the language.
Now, three weeks after the film’s Malayalam version hit theatres, the makers are set to release it in other languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
Also read: 2018 director Jude Anthany Joseph on Sony LIV's feedback after picking up its OTT rights
E4 Entertainment will be distributing its Hindi version, which is set to release in theatres on May 26 along with the other languages. The pan Indian release of the film will ensure that the movie further stretches in stellar box office figures and inches closer to becoming the first ever Malayalam movie to cross Rs 200 crore in revenue.
Currently, 2018 has collected Rs 66 crore from Kerala. In a press statement ahead of the movie’s Hindi release, the film’s lead actor Tovino said, “As a team, we are overjoyed with the love and positive response “2018” has been receiving until now, which is why we are more excited to bring the film for Pan-India audiences. More than box-office numbers, it’s the word of appreciation which me and the entire team are getting showered with, that has been very satisfying.”
In an earlier interview with OTTplay, Jude said that he had initially contemplated a simultaneous release in all languages from the movie, which also has Asif Ali, Kunchacko Boban, Narain, Lal, Kalaiyarasan, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Tanvi Ram and Aparna Balamurali. However, this seemed tough considering that the makers had invested large sums of money for the film and dubbing and post production work for the other languages would have further delayed the movie.
The filmmaker, however, said he was sure that the movie would be lapped up by the audience across the country. “The audiences would understand the second half of the movie, even without subtitles. That’s the approach I had taken for the movie,” he said.
2018’s OTT rights have been bought by Sony LIV, which is expected to premiere the film next month.
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