Pa Ranjith's Karthi-starrer Madras, streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, to have a theatrical release in Telugu

Madras, which released in 2014, was an important film not just in the careers of Pa Ranjith and Karthi, but for the Tamil film industry. The movie, which marked the former's second directorial project, is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. The critically-acclaimed project, which was lapped up by the audience, too, is now all set for a theatrical release in Telugu, with the same title. Ranjith himself had shared the first look of its Telugu version, which, according to the makers, will hit screens in September. Check out a few reasons why the movie, which changed the fortunes of a few artists, is likely to work with Tollywood audience as well...

Karthi's following in the Telugu states

Many Tamil dubbed films have done wonders at the Telugu box office. But Karthi is one of those handful of Tamil actors who earned massive fan base among Telugu audience long ago. His popularity among Telugu audience after his second outing, Yuganiki Okkadu (Aayirathil Oruvan in Tamil) and Awaara (Paiyaa), made the makers of his debut film, Paruthiveeran, release its Telugu version as Malligadu after a few years. Most of his subsequent films, including Shakuni (Saguni), Biryani, Khakee (Theeran Adhigaram Ondru), Khaidi (Kaithi) and Sulthan carried big expectations when they were released in Telugu. So, when the makers of Madras, which was a solid come back for Karthi, after a few under-whelming projects, decide to release it in the Telugu states, it is unlikely that they can go wrong.

Pa Ranjith's growth as a brand

From someone who made a notable debut with Attakathi in 2012, which had Dinesh and Nandita Swetha in lead roles, Ranjith went on to direct none other than Superstar Rajinikanth in Kabali and Kaala in 2016 and 2018 respectively. The former went on to grab worldwide attention even before its release. Known for his portrayal of characters which represent the down-trodden community and his immense talent in making actors come up with realistic performances, the filmmaker, over the years, became a voice for the voiceless. The unanimous positive reviews to his last outing, Sarpatta Parambarai, which is streaming on Amazon Prie Video, catapulted his fame as a director to another level, making him one of the reliable brand names in Kollywood. 

The unmatched love for films among Tollywood audience

Telugu audience and their craze for films need no introduction. Post the first lockdown, Tollywood was the only industry which witnessed several superhits and blockbusters like Krack, Jathi Ratnalu, Uppena and Zombie Reddy among others. When theatres were opened after the second wave, films like Thimmarasu and SR Kalyanamandapam opened to engaging numbers, which brought a new lease of life to the industry. A slew of interesting films are lined up for theatrical releases despite much-awaited flicks like Maestro and Tuck Jagdish opting for OTT releases. Exhibitors and producers are hopeful that straight films and dubbed films will attract regular moviegoers. 

The craze for Tamil dubbed movies in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

The dubbed version of Tamil films into Telugu have always had huge takers since decades. Kollywood blockbuster films like Gentleman, Roja, Kaadhalan, Indian, Padaiyappa, Alaipayuthey, Boys, Anniyan, Ghajini, Sivaji, Endhiran, Singham, Mynaa, Ko, I, Bichagadu, Paiyaa, Theeran Adhigaram Ondru, Irumbu Thirai and so on were successful among Telugu movie buffs. With someone like Karthi, who dubs in his own voice in Telugu headlining Madras, the makers are hopeful that cinephiles will welcome the movie whcih deserve attention because of the relevant subject it deals with.

The change in trend among Tollywood audience

Gone are the days where hardcore Tollywood film buffs used to throng theatres only for run-of-the-mill movies which have larger-than-life heroes, tailor-made interval sequence for the fans of superstars and predictable hero-villain clash in climax. The recent years have witnessed many movies with innovative stories, devoid of so-called commercial elements, setting the cash registers ringing. Care of Kancharapalem, Mahanati, Arjun Reddy, Jersey, Pelli Choopulu, Goodachari, Zombie Reddy, Naandhi, and so on, were a few movies which proved that engaging stories and performances will garner the attention of film enthusiasts. Madras, which touches upon rampant caste issues and how people are manipulated in the current political scenario, is one of the must-watch Tamil films in the last decade, and one shouldn't be surprised if it clicks in Telugu, too.