As one of India’s most awaited films, Vikram’s I (Ai) launched on Friday. OneIndia.in reporter Avinash Gopinath looks at whether the movie will beat Rajinikanth’s Enthiran by becoming the highest Tamil grossing film to date.
AFTER keeping Indian movie lovers the world over in suspense, the makers of Vikram and Shankar’s I have finally got one of the most highly anticipated films onto the big screen.
I opened in South Africa last week and although it has released in most parts of India and the world, it has not managed to get close to what Rajinikanth’s Enthiran managed to do.
Enthiran had a huge opening that helped the film to amass multi-million earnings at the box office within a few days of its release. Eventually, the film went on to become the highest grossing Tamil film.
I, on the other hand, is releasing for the Pongal festival which means it will enjoy a long weekend opening in Tamil Nadu. The film has also created a buzz in other parts of South and North India. But the real interest will be the movie’s performance in the West and in other countries.
If I manages to do really well overseas, especially in the US, it has more than a good chance of surpassing Enthiran to become the highest grossing Tamil film.
Another factor that might influence I’s box office collection is the competition the film will face from other movies like Vishal’s Aambala and GV Prakash’s Darling which will make its way to screens on the festival day in India. Ajith’s Yennai Arindhaal will also come into the picture (including its release in South Africa) come January 29.
Considering all these factors, experts feel that Shankar’s I will still go the distance as the movie is expected to be one of a kind.
I is set to be a trend setter in Kollywood and hence might create a new box office record for a Tamil film, if not for an Indian film.
Meanwhile, in an interview, film production designer T Muthuraj, who worked as an art director in I which stars Vikram and Amy Jackson, has opened up about Vikram’s unbelievable dedication to bring Shankar’s dream onto screen.
He described Vikram as a phenomenal artist who was feeble and week after losing 50kg for his hunchbacked character, but still pressed on in search of excellence.
He added that no appreciation or awards can match up to the efforts put in by Vikram to make each of his characters look distinctive in the movie.
“He has given his heart and soul to each of his characters,” said Muthuraj.
I also stars Upen Patel, Suresh Gopi and Santhanam in important roles. While PC Sreeram has wielded the camera, AR Rahman has composed music for this highly anticipated movie. – OneIndia.in