As a seasoned cinephile with roots deeply entrenched in the vibrant world of Indian cinema, I can confidently say that the upcoming AGS Entertainment production, “The Greatest of All Time” (GOAT), has my undivided attention. Having witnessed the evolution of South Indian filmmaking over the years, it’s fascinating to see AGS, a company that started with Susi Ganesan’s “Thiruttu Payale” in 2006, reach new heights with this ambitious project – their 25th production.
Amidst South Indian cinema soaring to unprecedented heights, AGS Entertainment is set to leave an indelible impression with their most daring endeavor yet. Titled “The Greatest of All Time” (“GOAT”), this film features megastar Vijay and marks the company’s 25th production.
Archana Kalpathi, CEO of AGS Entertainment in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and creative producer of “GOAT,” recently chatted with EbMaster about this ambitious project, the company’s future plans, and her thoughts on the ongoing renaissance in South Indian cinema.
The action-packed movie titled “GOAT,” directed by Venkat Prabhu (known for “Maanaadu”), stars Vijay as an RAW agent, embroiled in a complex mission that unfolds over multiple years. With its nationwide distribution plan and promising international market prospects, GOAT marks a significant step forward for AGS. Kalpathi shares, “This is a true action-packed spectacle.”
“Kalpathi describes the storyline as follows: Something initially goes awry in a mission, only for it to resurface as a problem years later. We then watch as the characters deal with and ultimately resolve this lingering issue.”
As a passionate cinephile, I’m eagerly anticipating the upcoming film, knowing it might be one of Vijay’s final ventures in cinema before he embarks on his political journey. This transition adds an extra layer of tension for the production team. Kalpathi openly acknowledges this challenge: “Working with a superstar always brings additional pressure because it’s truly challenging to create a good film with such a big name. The expectations are sky-high, just as they were for ‘Bigil.’ So, there’s no difference in the pressure I feel now.”
AGS is set to debut “GOAT” in Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu on around 5,000 screens throughout India. Notably, Kalpathi anticipates that the film’s international earnings will be significant, potentially amounting to nearly the worth of the Tamil Nadu region itself, highlighting the international popularity of South Indian cinema. Interestingly, six out of the top ten highest-grossing Indian films this year are from South India, with “Kalki 2898 AD” taking the lead. Moreover, Vijay’s recent release “Leo” was one of the biggest Indian blockbusters in 2023, earning $74 million at the box office.
Over the last twenty years, AGS Entertainment has risen to prominence as a dominant force in Tamil cinema. The company first dipped its toes into film production back in 2006 with Susi Ganesan’s “Thiruttu Payale,” and later with “Santosh Subramaniam.” Both films were financial triumphs. AGS Entertainment’s extensive catalog spans a variety of genres, from romantic action comedies like “Maasilamani” to historical dramas such as “Madrasapattinam,” and critically praised projects such as Myshkin’s crime thriller “Yudham Sei.” Other notable productions include K. V. Anand’s “Maattrraan” starring Suriya, Atlee’s sports action film “Bigil,” and the recent box-office sensation “Love Today.” In addition to production, AGS Entertainment has also made substantial progress in film distribution, introducing successful films like “Kandhakottai,” “Inidhu Inidhu,” “Mynaa,” and “Payanam” to viewers.
Beyond debating who is the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT), AGS is working on a new slate in production. This includes a Hindi-language adaptation of their successful romantic comedy “Love Today.” Directed by Pradeep Ranganathan, the Tamil original featured Ranganathan in his first acting role, alongside Sathyaraj, Raadhika Sarathkumar, Yogi Babu, Raveena Ravi, and Ivana. The story revolves around two young lovers who are compelled to swap phones for a day, leading to unexpected outcomes. The film was made on a budget of approximately $605,000 and earned $12 million at the box office. Negotiations are currently underway for Chinese and Korean remakes, as mentioned by Kalpathi.
AGS is collaborating with Ranganathan once more on the film “Dragon”. As Kalpathi puts it, this movie is an entertaining college flick aimed at viewers between 18 and 30 years old, falling under the ‘slice-of-life’ genre. Additionally, a sequel to AGS’ successful 2015 action-thriller “Thani Oruvan 2” is being developed as well.
Kalpathi underscores AGS’s dedication to robust narratives, saying, “The story is the main attraction in every movie. If the script isn’t solid, none of the production elements, including casting or aesthetics, can compensate for its absence.”
AGS has chosen to delve into film productions across various Indian dialects such as Malayalam, Kannada, and Marathi, due to their philosophy. Kalpathi elaborates on the approach: “If we perceive that a tale is heartwarming and compact enough to be made within four to five crores [approximately $475,000-$600,000], it’s more practical to produce it in multiple languages.”
As a passionate cinephile, I wholeheartedly appreciate the magic of traditional cinema. Yet, I can’t help but acknowledge the allure and potential that streaming platforms hold for longer narratives. These platforms serve as a powerful canvas for tales that exceed the usual three-hour timeframe. They provide an exceptional platform to unfold stories that require more breathing space, like a 12 or even 13-hour epic saga.
Additionally, AGS is broadening its exhibition sector by concentrating on refurbishing and possibly transforming single-screen cinemas located in smaller towns across Tamil Nadu into multi-screen complexes.
Speaking about the present condition of the industry, Kalpathi expresses a positive outlook: “I believe we’re experiencing one of the golden ages of South Indian cinema, as there are many compelling narratives being brought to life.”
“GOAT” releases Sept. 5 worldwide.
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2024-09-03 10:17