Might Of The Marans Behind Rajini Starrer ‘Annathe’ But Still ‘Enemy’ Lurks Around

Tamil Nadu’s powerful political family which has stranglehold on the film business is going all out to promote Rajini starrer Annathe this Diwali. Marans are leaving no cinema seat vacant to promote Annathe. Timing could not have been better. Superstar has just won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Besides, the overdrive is largely because one of the distributors is Udhayanidhi Stalin, Chief Minister’s son and promoter of Red Giant Movies — production and distribution house. Marans and Stalin call shots in all things entertainment in the State. Stalin Junior, according to Kollywood sources, is bargaining for a higher take from cinemas with a target of 700 screens all over TN. But is Annathe the one and only release this Diwali? No! A number of producers who have completed their films are praying anxiously for theatres to open but are scared to release their films as they do not want to take on the might of Rajini-SUN combo. But there are exceptions. Vishal and Arya starrer Enemy is planning to take on the behemoth as a me-too Diwali release. Flashback to 2019, when Rajini starrer Petta and Ajit’s Viswasam collided at the box office. Petta earned Rs 50 crore less than factored. Viswasam hit the finish line with critical acclaim and money.