PS Vinoth Raj’s film Kottukkaali hit theaters on August 23 and, despite its strong international award credentials, had a solid opening. However, the release has stirred controversy due to a statement from director Ameer. At a public event, Ameer praised Kottukkaali and expressed that he would have preferred it to premiere directly on an OTT platform rather than in theaters. He argued that a theatrical release might harm the film’s reputation by focusing too much on box office numbers.
Ameer’s remarks sparked mixed reactions online. Many netizens criticized his view, arguing that Kottukkaali is exactly the kind of film that deserves a theatrical release due to its unique and engaging content. They questioned why such films shouldn’t be shown in theaters. On the other hand, some support Ameer’s opinion, noting that the film’s box office performance could impact Soori’s future projects, given his recent successes with Viduthalai 1 and Garudan.
Interestingly, PS Vinoth Raj’s previous film, Pebbles (also known as Koozhangal), which was nominated for an Oscar, also had a direct OTT release after its nomination, bypassing theaters.
Kottukkaali, starring Anna Ben and Soori, has been praised for its fresh storytelling, but the debate over its release method continues to generate discussion.
