Mollywood gears up for Vishu releases

Mollywood’s superstar-flicks are once again preparing to go all guns during this festive season of Vishu (mid-April). With top actors Mammootty, Prithviraj, Dileep and Suresh Gopi each having at least one release, it will undoubtedly be a busy time at the theatres with each flick vying for the bigger initial opening.
Kicking off the season, on March 29, is The King and The Commissioner.This rather delayed film was supposed to be released last year, in time for Onam!
Johny Antony’s Masters, which will hit the theatres a day later, will see Prithviraj and Kollywood actors Sasikumar and Samudrakani onscreen. This film too, is expected to rake in the moolah as, in addition to Prithviraj’s star value, the rest of the cast too has a cult following in Kerala.
Dileep’s Mayamohini, in which he plays the role of a woman, has also generated a lot of buzz. The film will be released in 70 theatres throughout Kerala on April 9.
With the three big releases already on schedule, it looks like Mammootty and Lal’s Cobra might not hit the screen till after Vishu. “However, this depends on how The King and Commissioner does at the box office. If the film turns out to be a dud, the makers may try to release Cobra earlier to help rake in money during the festive season,” says a theatre exhibitor.
Incidentally, the only star missing out on a festive release will be Mohanlal, whose Grandmaster was supposed to open in 90 theatres on April 5. “With it being the debut venture for a production giant, they might want to play it safe rather than squeeze it in between these heavy films,” says a senior producer, on condition of anonymity.
Kunchacko Boban’s Ordinary has already hit the theatres, probably for the same reason. Sreenivasan-Indrajith’s Outsider is another flick that will release during the first week of April. It now remains to be seen which flick will take the bigger chunk of the pie.