The team behind the successful action film Garudan gathered for a thanksgiving event to express their gratitude to fans and the media for the film’s positive reception and box office performance. The event highlighted the collaborative spirit behind the film, the challenges overcome during its production and release, and the importance of supporting quality cinema.
Director Vetrimaaran, known for his critically acclaimed films, emphasized the significance of Garudan’s success in the evolving film industry landscape. “Nowadays, fans are hesitant to visit theaters,” Vetrimaaran observed. “The film business has become increasingly dependent on digital platforms. This is the model we’ve been following for the past three years. Digital platforms and television rights provide the investment for films, while theatrical release is an added bonus.”
He highlighted Garudan as a film that bucked this trend, proving that financial success can still be achieved through theatrical releases. “Garudan is one of the few films to change this trend this year,” Vetrimaaran stated. “It proved that the money invested in a film can be recovered from theaters, from the box office collections. The film confirmed that the sale of digital platform and television rights can be considered a bonus.”
He further emphasized the democratic nature of theatrical releases, stating, “I feel this type of business is more democratic. When making a film for digital platforms or television companies, they buy what they need in their respective periods. If it’s not needed, they won’t even consider it. While this offers creative freedom in some aspects, as a creator and producer, there’s greater freedom when you release a film in theaters and take it directly to the people.”
Producer K. Kumar expressed his gratitude to the team, highlighting the contributions of several individuals. “Thank you to the media for making Garudan a success,” Kumar said. “We had a lot of confidence when we started working on this film. Sasikumar was the one who gave us that hope. It was only after he joined the film that the idea of making it on a grand scale was born.”
Director Durai Senthilkumar, reflecting on the film’s journey, shared, “What makes a director happy is making a film that resonates with audiences, receives support from the media, and is critically acclaimed. This is a challenging feat in today’s world. I am delighted that Garudan has become such a successful film.”
Soori, the film’s lead actor, known for his comedic roles, expressed his thanks for the opportunity to take on a more dramatic role and for the support he received from his fellow actors and the industry. “Anyone can prepare a story and start filming. Shooting can be completed, post-production can be completed, and you can even release the film, even with difficulty,” Soori acknowledged. “But it’s difficult to get a platform like this after the film’s release. I have reached this stage for both films in which I have played the lead role. I am thankful to everyone who supported this.”
Garudan has proven that quality films can still find success in theaters, reaffirming the importance of storytelling and audience engagement in a movie.