After much conjecture and speculation surrounding which day Thangalaan will land on Netflix, the much sought-after release is finally all set for October 31. Directed by Pa.Ranjith, this period action-adventure movie, starring Vikram in five roles, draws inspiration from the historical backdrop of Kolar Gold Fields during the British Raj. The film had mixed reviews upon release, but it drew very good audiences due to its immense scale, thrilling performances, especially Vikram, Parvathy Thiruvothu, and Daniel Caltagirone. The film is expected to be available in various languages to appeal to a wider audience, both regional and international.
Despite its impressive star cast and stunning action scenes, Thangalaan has puttered at the box office with gross earnings reported in the range of ₹72-100 crore against a humongous production budget of ₹100-150 crore. Criticism has mainly revolved around its historical inaccuracies and inconsistent visual effects, which took away from the film’s ambitious stature. Nevertheless, Vikram’s performance, with great play as a tribal leader caught up in a contrast of cultures, along with adequately gripping scores by GV Prakash Kumar, garnered many honors. The film’s trek to OTT got postponed due to suggested monetary issues, but producer Gnanavel Raja has clarified that it was postponed strategically so as to release during Diwali.
What really distinguishes Thangalaan is its historical layer developed with the Kolar Gold Fields as its base. Pa. Ranjith and his team fused fiction with history to illustrate the clashes between tribal communities and colonial exploitation. The storyline delves into layers of past lives and spiritual aspects, with a tale of greed, power, and identity. However, the film raised controversies over its representation of colonial India, where some alleged that it glorified instead of accurately portraying the crushing yoke of oppression. This spurred debates among historians and audiences alike, yet the film remains equally compelling.
So, Thangalaan is set to debut on OTT and is one of the important watching films, at least for all the furore it has prompted, if not for its action sequences. This ambitious enterprise is to be revived again with the release of the movie on Netflix in different languages, expanding its audience of persuaded admirers who appreciate that fusion of folklore and history. It isnow time for Vikram’s fans to get back into the birdie again by way of a glamorous set of performances straight from the comforts of their home.
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