Kamal Haasan Breaks Tradition: ‘Thug Life’ to Stream 8 Weeks After Cinemas
Kamal Haasan, the legendary actor, accompanied by notable names like Mani Ratnam, A.R. Rahman, Silambarasan T.R., Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, and Ashok Selvan, recently graced the press conference for their highly anticipated Pan-Indian film, ‘Thug Life,’ in Mumbai.
The film, set to release on June 5th worldwide, is generating a lot of buzz, especially for its unique digital release strategy. Unlike most Tamil big-budget films that typically premiere on OTT platforms within four weeks, ‘Thug Life’ will have an eight-week theatrical run before hitting digital platforms.
A Bold Move for the Industry
This decision has sent ripples through the industry, as national multiplex chains like PVR, Inox, and Cinepolis strictly adhere to an eight-week rule for films before they can be streamed online. ‘Thug Life’s’ adherence to this rule signifies a positive step for the theatrical experience, potentially boosting box office numbers, especially for its Hindi version.
Kamal Haasan Confirms the Strategy
When asked about the eight-week window at the press conference, Kamal Haasan confirmed the reports, stating, “It’s not even an experiment. It’s a pragmatic thing to do. I am glad the OTT platforms agreed and we sat together. It was not a negotiation. It’s a plan which maybe others could follow. It’ll make the industry healthy. We are glad that we are the first to be there to avail of that opportunity.”
This announcement comes at a time when ‘Bhool Chuk Maaf,’ starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, is set to release on Amazon Prime Video within two weeks of its theatrical release. This exception was granted due to court intervention, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding OTT release windows.
Business-Oriented Approach
Kamal Haasan also addressed the box office expectations for ‘Thug Life,’ stating, “We are not looking at ‘how big’. But it shouldn’t be ‘how small’ (laughs). We have to look at break-even because it’s a business. Mani is from a business school and I am from this business. I grew up in this business. So, you can’t disrespect business and do business with the business.”
