Kayamkulam Kochunni gearing up for a grand release in China
‘Kayamkulam Kochunni’ recently entered the prestigious Rs 100 crore club, thus becoming only the second Malayalam movie after ‘Pulimurugan’ to achieve the feat. From its box office collections and various other rights, the movie has done an overall business of around Rs 102 crores. While it is still running in a few centres across Kerala, the makers are also planning for a wide release in China.
China is a new found market for Indian films. The success of films like ‘Dangal’, ‘Secret Superstar’ and the ‘Baahubali’ series has inspired many other Indian filmmakers to release their movies in China. ‘Kayamkulam Kochunni’ is perhaps the first Malayalam movie to eye for such a big release there. It has to do with the fact that the movie has an epic nature and is a spectacle heavy one. The makers believe that the traditional martial art form of Kalaripayattu and the Indian Robinhood’s story will find takers in China.
Originally hitting screens on October 11, ‘Kayamkulam Kochunni’ opened to tremendous response at the box office. A simultaneous release worldwide did wonders for the movie, collection wise. As of now, box office earnings from Kerala and rest of India centres alone account to Rs 57 crores. From the GCC centres, the movie has earned Rs 18 crores. From other overseas centres, the movie has earned a sum of Rs 4.82 crores (UK, Europe – 1.75 crore, New Zealand – Rs 17 lakhs, US- Rs 1.80 crore, Australia- 1.10 crore). If the movie manages to attract the Chinese audience, the figures will definitely spike up.
‘Kayamkulam Kochunni’ directed by Rosshan Andrrews is the story of Kerala’s legendary highwayman, Kochunni, who was active in the 18th century. Scriptwriter duo Bobby-Sanjay adapted the popular folk stories and gave their own interpretation to it. Nivin Pauly played the titular role in the movie while superstar Mohanlal appeared in an extended cameo role as Ithikkara Pakki. Made on a budget of Rs 45 crores, ‘Kayamkulam Kochunni’ is one of the most expensive movies ever made in Malayalam cinema. Gokulam Gopalan of Sri Gokulam Films has produced the movie.
