In Kerala, Baahubali, Vikram’s I widened market for non-Malayalam films: Prem Menon

Films like Baahubali: The Beginning and Shankar’s I starring Vikram have paved the way for non-Malayalam films, says eminent producer Prem Menon.

Well-known producer Prem Menon, who successfully distributed Vikram-starrer I and Baahubali: The Beginning among other films in Kerala, believes the phenomenal success of these movies has widened the market for non-Malayalam films in the state.

Baahubali 2: The Conclusion hits the screens on April 28.

Both I and Baahubali were high earners in Kerala, with a combined gross of over Rs 20 crore.

“The success of Baahubali and I opened the eyes of distributors and theatre owners. It even widened the market for non-Malayalam films in Kerala. While Baahubali grossed over Rs 11 crore in its entire run, I grossed around Rs 10 crore,” said Menon, managing director, Global United Media (GUM).

It’s with Shankar-directed Tamil revenge drama I, the company began its distribution journey. Since then, there’s been no looking back for GUM which is gearing up for the release of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion on April 28.

Asked about the secret formula behind the successful distribution model, he said “carpet bombing of screens”.

“When we bought I and were planning to release in 225 screens, a lot of people thought we were doing a mistake. One needs to understand that a shelf life of a film today is the first three days. Then, the content and word-of-mouth decides the fate of a film,” he said.

“But if you could draw maximum audiences in the first three days, you’re at least guaranteed very good opening. We give prime importance to marketing,” Menon, whose company is credited for creating the world’s largest poster of Baahubali first part during its release, said.

Does the success of a film solely rely on wide release?

“There’s no thumb rule. Sometimes you go by your gut feeling. I saw bits and pieces of Baahubali 1 and I knew deep down it will work. It has mostly worked but for some rare cases. Tamil film Devi, for instance, when we released, opened well but lost steam as it had to compete with Pulimurugan,” he explained.

Baahubali 2: The Conclusion is releasing in Tamil and Malayalam in around 300 screens in Kerala next week.

“Baahubali 2 will have an even bigger release. This is the kind of film which doesn’t get made every day. Since the release of Baahubali 1, the total number of theatres in Kerala has increased which has automatically paved way for a wider release for the second part,” he said.

Baahubali: The Beginning starred Prabhas, playing Mahendra Baahubali, also known as Shivudu.

Menon is proud to have bankrolled award-winning Malayalam film Kammatipaadam, which was helmed by cinematographer-filmmaker Rajeev Ravi.

“This was one film I wanted to bet on irrespective of the returns. When I heard the story, it immediately struck a chord within. It reminded me of my childhood in Kerala. I have family roots in agriculture and when Rajeev was narrating some scenes, I could visualize it,” he said.

The film, set in a slum in Ernakulum, shined the spotlight on how Dalit communities were forced to give up their lands for real estate mafias.

Kammatipaadam bagged four Kerala state awards, including best actor for Dulquer Salmaan.

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