Exclusive! If Mohanlal’s Marakkar heads to OTT, Aaraattu will be next biggest theatre release: B Unnikrishnan

The director confirms to us that Aaraattu will release in theatres no matter what and he will take a final call on its release date in November

Mohanlal in Aaraattu

With Antony Perumbavoor, the producer of Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, confirming that the team is in talks with a leading streaming platform to release the movie on OTT after the National Film Awards function on Monday, theatre exhibitors had some cause for worry, as a Mohanlal-starrer has the potential to bring in massive crowds back to cinema halls. This has now put the spotlight on director B Unnikrishnan’s Aaraattu, which also has Mohanlal in the lead.

In an exclusive chat with us, Unnikrishnan, who is also co-producing the big budget movie, tells us, “Aaraattu will be at theatrical release without doubt. If Marakkar is heading for an OTT release, Aaraattu will be the next biggest Malayalam release because it’s made on a much bigger budget than Kurup.”

Ask him about the release date of the movie and the director says, “There are big releases in December and January, and so I will see how that pans out and then take a call.” The director in a social media post had said that he would take a call in November.

As of now, with Marakkar now being unsure of a theatrical release, at least in India, the next three big films that are hugely anticipated by the audience in Kerala are Dulquer Salmaan’s Kurup, Vineeth Sreenivasan’s Hridayam and Aaraattu.

Dulquer had earlier confirmed that Kurup will release in theatres on November 12, worldwide. The makers also agreed to screen the movie, even at the current 50% capacity as approved by the government.

Vineeth Sreenivasan, meanwhile, revealed that Hridayam will release in theatres in January 2022. This leaves December free for Aaraattu. However, it’s also rumoured that Mammootty’s Puzhu could be set for a theatrical release this Christmas.

The producers of all these movies will be waiting with bated breath to see the footfall in theatres after Kurup opens on November 12. Unnikrishnan, who is also a film distributor, tells us, “Kurup’s release is crucial because people should come back to theatres. In Tamil Nadu, despite there being multiple soft openings, theatres got a shot in the arm after Sivakarthikeyan’s Doctor released. Similarly, Sudeep’s Kottigobba 3 was a game-changer in Kannada. So, when a much-anticipated, star-driven movie gets the kind of response that is expected, the industry will be back on wheels.”

Also read: Exclusive! FEUOK president on special considerations that made Dulquer’s Kurup theatre release possible

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