Kaththi took a bit of a beating as an unidentified mob attacked two leading cinema multiplexes in Chennai – Sathyam Cinemas and Woodlands Theatre – late one night, just a day before the movie was scheduled to release on October 22.
This apparently followed an announcement that Kaththi would release worldwide, including in Tamil Nadu.
It was reported that around 11.45pm on October 20, a group of people allegedly shouting anti-Kaththi slogans deliberately destroyed the theatres by flinging petrol bombs, stones and other sharp objects at the facilities.
Following the unforeseen incidents, theatre owners were scheduled to meet to take a final decision on whether the movie’s release there was scheduled to remain as was.
Many precautions had been taken by the producers to ensure a smooth release of the most anticipated film of the year on Diwali, including one of the producers, Karunamurthy, meeting with the city’s police commissioner to protect the public from the group of people threatening to stage a protest against the release of the movie.
The producers had earlier concluded that the talks with the protesting group were fruitful and that the movie would be released hassle free.
However, all that looks to have gone down the drain after the attack, apparently from a fringe group who had been creating panic among theatre owners, forcing them to rethink the release of Kaththi.
They had said that if Kaththi is thrown out of the Diwali race, they will have to move Vishal’s Poojai to the main screens.
Kaththi (English: The Knife) is a Tamil action thriller film scripted and directed by AR Murugadoss. The film stars Vijay in a dual role alongside Samantha Ruth Prabhu. Neil Nitin Mukesh, Tota Roy Chowdhury and Sathish play supporting roles. Anirudh Ravichander composed the film’s soundtrack and score.
Cinema-tography was done by George C Williams and the film was edited by A Sreekar Prasad. Lyca Productions and Ayngaran International bankrolled the venture and Eros International purchased the theatrical and audio rights.
– oneindia.in