SRK loses out to Tamil film

NDTV.com
Sanjay Pinto

Wednesday, November 7, 2007: (Chennai):

Across India it may be a fight between Om Shanti Om and Saawariya. But in Chennai, it's a Tamil film Azagiya Tamil Magan starring Vijay that's vying with Shah Rukh Khan`s movie for the top honours.

And if the booking trend has to be trusted, so far it indicates that Vijay's film has a clear headstart.

King Khan usually opens No 1 at the Chennai box office. But not when he's pitted against the biggest star in Tamil cinema after Rajinikanth.

ATM hits seven screens in the city with a total seating capacity of 4120 seats per show as opposed to OSO`s 4 screens and 2930 seats.

Supriya Rajashekhar, director of corporate communication of Satyam Cinema said, "It's different here in Tamil Nadu. There`s been a phenomenal response to ATM here in Chennai much more than OSO and Saawariya."

On the eve of his film release Vijay spends time at the Velankanni Shrine. His prayers before his previous film Pokkiri were clearly answered and it was a blockbuster. In ATM he plays a double role opposite Shreya, Rajinikanth`s sweetheart in Sivaji.

Sreedhar Pillai a senior film journalist said, "It's an experiment with the Vijay image. He's playing a negative role for the first time."

The season throws up another intense battle between Asin and Shreya for the top slot in Kollywood. Asin, who has already been snapped up by Aamir Khan for the remake of Ghajini and by Kamal Haasan for Dasavatharam is paired opposite Suriya in Vel.

Asin said, "I'm paired with Suriya. It`s after we last worked together in Ghajini. It`s a fun film."

Among the slew of new releases Kannamoochi Yenada is billed as a family entertainer. For the Tamil film industry that has seen 32 films since the release of Sivaji in June this promises to be a dazzling Diwali.