He believes the makers should have preserved the film's dignity by releasing it on an OTT platform instead.
Published Aug 28, 2024 | 4:44 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 28, 2024 | 4:44 PM
Don't force festival films into theatres: Ameer Sultan on 'Kottukkaali'. (Supplied)
Tamil filmmaker-actor Ameer Sultan has sparked controversy by claiming that the theatrical release of Kottukkaali (featuring Anna Ben and Soori in the lead) is a form of “violence” against the film.
He argued that since PS Vinothraj’s directorial venture was made for the festival circuit, it should have gone directly to OTT instead of being “forced” into a “mainstream” release.
Ameer stated, “It is not fair to force a festival film into theatres and then blame audiences for not being interested. The responsibility to make the story relatable lies with the filmmakers.”
Speaking at a pre-release event for Tamizh Dhayalan’s Gevi, Ameer Sultan praised the film for highlighting how basic amenities like roads are still inaccessible in many villages. He emphasised that directors addressing such pressing issues should stay within the mainstream cinema format to ensure “the content remains relatable to audiences.”
He explained that his view was shaped by “current trends in mainstream cinema”, including new YouTube channels that post audience reactions just hours after a film’s premiere.
He noted that some viewers, after paying ₹150, feel entitled to make extreme comments like, “I will kill the director if I see him.”
Ameer Sultan added that had he directed or produced Kottukkaali, he wouldn’t have opted for a theatrical release. Given the film’s lead actor and producer are well-known, he believes they should have preserved the film’s dignity by releasing it on an OTT platform instead.
The filmmaker felt that a direct OTT release would have ensured the Soori-starrer was watched only by those genuinely interested.
He added that when someone spends ₹1000 to take their family to see the film, they might complain about the lack of a typical opening sequence, songs, or a compelling interval block and ending. “This sense of entitlement comes from paying for a ticket.”
The director called for the need to distinguish between “films meant for festivals” and those for “mainstream release”.
Ameer Sultan opined that Kottukkaali, designed for film festivals and winner of many international awards, shouldn’t have been pushed into a theatrical release, calling it a form of “violence” against the film.
Further, Ameer Sultan pointed out that Mari Selvaraj’s Vaazhai is succeeding because it adheres to the mainstream cinema format.
Kottukkaali and Vaazhai were both released on 24 August. Backed by Sivakarthikeyan, Kottukkaali is a satirical take on caste endogamy, focusing on a rural Madurai family’s extreme measures to control a woman’s marriage choices.
Ameer Sultan’s views drew criticism, with Merku Thodarchi Malai (2018) director Lenin Bharathi countering that Ameer’s stance—favouring theatrical releases only for films with financial viability and mass appeal—constitutes a form of violence against the creative industry.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
