Thalapathy Vijay’s latest film, ‘The Greatest Of All Time (GOAT)’, directed by Venkat Prabhu, is set to hit theaters on September 5, 2024, and is expected to make a significant impact at the box office. The film is generating considerable buzz, with predictions suggesting it could earn close to Rs 100 crore on its opening day, breaking multiple records in the process.
Wide Release Across Tamil Nadu and Globally
‘GOAT’ is poised for a broad release, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where it will be showcased in nearly 1,000 screens, making it one of the most extensive Tamil film releases in recent years. Raahul of Romeo Pictures, the distributor for Tamil Nadu, confirmed that the movie would be screened in almost every theatre across the state. This widespread availability is expected to drive significant foot traffic, contributing to the film’s anticipated record-breaking opening.
Internationally, ‘GOAT’ is also making waves with a vast release strategy. The film is set to premiere in over 500 theaters in the United States, 200 in the United Kingdom, and 350 across Europe. It will also open in 18 countries across Africa and several other regions, marking a major expansion for Tamil cinema on a global scale. Gulzar Begum, managing director of XGen Studio, highlighted that this global reach is unprecedented for a Tamil film and underscores the growing international appeal of the industry.
High Expectations Amidst Industry Comparisons
Industry insiders have compared the excitement surrounding ‘GOAT’ to that of Rajinikanth’s ‘Kabali’, noting that it stands out as the biggest Tamil film release of the year. The early predictions of a Rs 100 crore opening day are seen as a sign of renewed vitality in the Tamil cinema box office, which has been relatively quiet recently. The film’s extensive reach, combined with Thalapathy Vijay’s star power, is expected to draw large crowds both in India and overseas.
However, the release is not without its challenges. The Hindi version of ‘GOAT’ has faced obstacles, particularly with major national multiplex chains like PVR and INOX, which have not agreed to screen the film due to disputes over release windows. This situation could affect the overall box office numbers within India, but industry experts believe that the strong performance in foreign markets will likely compensate for any domestic shortfall.
Potential Impacts on Future Releases
The success of ‘GOAT’ could have ripple effects on the Tamil film industry, potentially paving the way for other major releases such as Rajinikanth’s ‘Vettaiyan’, Ajith Kumar’s ‘Vidaa Muyarchi’, and Suriya’s ‘Kanguva’. The buzz around ‘GOAT’ indicates a growing appetite for large-scale Tamil films, which could inspire further ambitious projects.
With a runtime of 183 minutes, ‘GOAT’ is also capitalizing on early showings, with screenings starting as early as 4 AM in some regions, including Kerala and Karnataka. This strategy is designed to maximize the film’s visibility and capture a larger share of the audience right from the outset.
Despite facing some obstacles, the anticipation for ‘GOAT’ remains high, and industry watchers are eager to see if the film can meet or exceed the lofty expectations set for its debut.
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