Citing Manjummel Boys success, Varshangalkku Shesham producer demanded Rs 15 crore for Tamil Nadu rights, reveals producer Dhananjayan

Producer G. Dhananjayan has revealed an interesting conversation he had with the producer of the latest Malayalam movie Varshangalkku Shesham. He claimed that he tried to buy the theatrical rights of the movie and distribute it in Tamil Nadu and was taken aback by producer Visakh Subramaniam's asking price.

For context, Malayalam cinema has gained a lot of popularity following the unprecedented success of Manjummel Boys. Naturally, Dhananjayan saw that this film might also benefit from the growing interest among Tamil audiences in Malayalam movies.

ALSO READ: Decoding how Manjummel Boys took over Tamil Nadu box office and saved cinemas 

"Manjummel Boys was performing very well. At the same time, Varshangalkku Shesham was getting ready to be released. I phoned the producer of that film and offered to release it in Tamil Nadu as I liked its trailer very much. I was expecting that he would quote me a reasonable price. He told me that Varshangalkku Shesham was a better movie than Manjummel Boys. He went on to say, Manjummel Boys made about Rs 15 crore share, and if you can give me the same price, I will give it to you,'" Dhananjayan revealed in an interview.

Varshangalkku Shesham found no takers in Tamil Nadu

Dhananjayan recalled being dumbfounded by producer Visakh Subramaniam's demand as it made no sense considering the business realities of the box office. "I replied, 'Sir, I didn't hear you properly. Did you say Rs 1.5 crore or Rs 15 crore?' He said Rs 15 crore. I wished him all the best to find someone who would buy this film at that price and hung up," he noted.

Dhananjayan opined that Manjummel Boys was a one-time phenomenon, and not all Malayalam movies can repeat such performances at the Tamil Nadu box office.

ALSO READ: Kamal Haasan sowed the seed, so Manjummel Boys could eat the fruits 30 years later

"Manjummel Boys was magical. How can another film achieve that? It would be a big thing even if a film like Aavesham makes Rs 1 crore share. Even Premalu grossed only Rs 5 crore, of which Rs 3 crore was profit share. Visakh couldn't find anyone to buy that film in Tamil Nadu at Rs 15 crore, and he finally released it through a distributor without any prior deal. That film didn't even make about Rs 50 lakh share in Tamil Nadu," he added.

Manjummel Boys became the highest-earning Malayalam movie at the Tamil Nadu box office by raking in more than Rs 50 crore.

While Varshangalkku Shesham, however, has emerged as one of the highest-grossing Malayalam movies of 2024 by grossing more than Rs 70 crore globally.

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