While Malayalam movies are all the rage right now, the film industry remains a relatively much smaller market when compared to other well-known Indian film industries like Bollywood, Tollywood, and Kollywood.
This would mean the income-generating capacity of the films is limited as well. However, lately, it seems producers like Supriya Menon(Prithviraj Productions) and Antony Perumbavoor(Aashirvad Cinemas) have found a way to use the popularity of Malayalam films to their advantage, generating a huge opportunity many have till now been skeptical about. And the great news? It’s reaping rewards, and that too, big time!
We are talking about the box office juggernaut that is Ajay Devgn’s ‘Drishyam 2’ which is now the shining beacon of hope for the starved Bollywood industry. However, what is interesting is the movie is being co-produced by the producer of the original Malayalam film Antony Perumbavoor! While the usual move regarding remakes from Malayalam cinema is to outright sell the rights, the original’s producers are now keen on joining in as co-producers of the remake. With ‘Drishyam 2’ reportedly already a profitable venture by the first weekend itself, it is safe to say the move was a smart one from Antony Perumbavoor. Since it is difficult for even regional superstars like Mohanlal to get an audience for his movies if they are dubbed and released in the Hindi belt, this is the perfect alternative approach.
Antony is not the only one from Malayalam cinema who is doing his approach. Prithviraj Sukumaran, who owns Prithviraj Productions with his wife and successful producer Supriya Menon, has reportedly said in an interview that he now plans to co-produce his films’ remakes rather than sell the remake rights. In fact, Supriya Menon and Prithviraj Productions’ frequent collaborating partner Listin Stephen are co-producing the Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Selfie’ alongside Dharma productions. The movie is the official remake of Prithviraj’s blockbuster 2019 film ‘Driver’s License’.
Not just Mollywood, but this seems to be a popular trend in other regional industries like Tollywood and Kollywood as well. Suriya will be co-producing the Hindi remake of his OTT blockbuster ‘Soorarai Pottru’ which will star Akshay Kumar and Radhika Madan in the lead roles. Other examples include Lyca productions co-producing the Hindi remake of ‘Good Luck Jerry’ which starred Janhvi Kapoor and Geeta Arts producing the Hindi remake of ‘Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’ titled ‘Shehzada’ which will star Karthik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon.
While not every film can become a ‘RRR’, ‘KGF 2’ or ‘Baahubali 2’, this decision taken by producers is an innovative and entrepreneurial one. Original film producers now want to participate in the remake as co-producers instead of negotiating for remake rights. This is a win-win situation for both parties.
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