Why did 'Ayalaan' Skip Theatres?

Tamil hero Sivakarthikeyan, has struck gold with the Sankranthi release of his latest movie, 'Ayalaan,' as it notches an impressive 100 crore at the box office. While this blockbuster success marks a triumph for the actor and the film's team, there's a sombre undertone for Telugu fans eagerly awaiting the Telugu version.

The Sankranthi slot, coveted by every production house, turned into a cinematic battlefield with 'Ayalaan' set to face off against five major Telugu releases, including Mahesh Babu's 'Guntur Kaaram,' Venkatesh's 'Saindhav,' Nagarjuna's 'Naa Saami Ranga,' the fantasy epic 'Hanuman,' and Ravi Teja's 'Eagle.' However, a strategic shift in release dates, especially by Ravi Teja's 'Eagle' moving to February 9th, triggered a ripple effect, prompting even Dhanush's 'Captain Miller' to reschedule from Sankranthi to January 26th.

The plot thickens as 'Ayalaan' finds itself in an unusual predicament-possibly the only notable Tamil-to-Telugu dubbed film without a theatrical release, despite a grand pre-release event attended by the hero himself. The original plan included a simultaneous release in both Tamil and Telugu, but unforeseen delays in the Telugu version's release, coupled with complications in deals with the digital intermediate partner, led to its removal from theatres on January 31st. As the dust settles on this theatrical rollercoaster, 'Ayalaan' is now poised for a new chapter with an upcoming OTT release.

Despite the theatrical setbacks, there's a glimmer of hope for Telugu audiences eagerly awaiting 'Ayalaan.' The film is gearing up for an OTT release on Sun NXT, starting February 16th, offering viewers the opportunity to witness Sivakarthikeyan's sci-fi spectacle in both Tamil and Telugu. This move not only signals a shift in distribution strategies but also promises a wider accessibility for fans to enjoy 'Ayalaan' from the comfort of their homes.