Filmmaker Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan: I,’ is near its release and advance booking for the film in Tamil and Telugu versions opened on Sunday, 25 September. Just hours after the booking started, many shows reported houseful sales and it left trade analysts quite surprised.
The Hindustan Times said that reliable trade pundits have revealed the film could register the biggest opening ever. According to sources ‘Ponniyin Selvan: I,’ had crossed Rs. 1 crore in advance booking in just few hours, it said.
Trade Analyst Trinath said that in recent memory this is the first film of Mani Ratnam that has such good advance bookings. He was quoted by the Hindustan Times saying, ‘For Tamil people, Ponniyin Selvan is their pride, so naturally the hype around the release has been terrific. The advance bookings have shocked the trade as most shows across Tamil Nadu for the first day have been sold out. Theatres are planning shows from as early as 5am. Going by hype and the advance bookings, we can expect the biggest opening for a Mani Ratnam film ever.’
He added this time it is more hype for Mani Ratnam’s film. ‘In Mumbai, the earliest show for PS1 is around 4.30am. This is the earliest show ever for a Mani Ratnam film in the city. There’s always been good buzz for Mani Ratnam’s films in Mumbai but this time it’s even more given the hype for the project and the massive ensemble cast,’ he said.
‘Ponniyin Selvan: I’ stars Aishwarya Rai, Jayam Ravi, Vikram, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan, Sobhita Dhulipala and Aishwarya Lekshmi, among others. Aishwarya will be playing dual roles of Nandini and her mother Mandakini Devi. The film will hit the screens worldwide on September 30.
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