South Indian superstar Thalapathy Vijay is known for generating huge pre-release hype and euphoria before his movies open at the worldwide box office.
He is one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema, especially in the South.
Whether it's the exciting collaborations with directors, music directors, or leading actresses, Vijay always manages to capture the audience's attention before a film's release.
Over the last decade, even films like ‘Jilla,’ ‘Bairavaa,’ and ‘Varisu’ have generated pre-release anticipation, thanks to factors like the Sankranti season, chart-topping albums, or being multi-starrers.
However, for his latest release, ‘The Greatest of All Time’ (GOAT), the advance booking sales have been slower than expected, even after the trailer release.
GOAT is an action drama directed by Venkat Prabhu, starring Thalapathy Vijay, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Sneha, and Meenakshi Chaudhary, with music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja.
The slower advance bookings could be attributed to several factors: the non-holiday release date, a less impactful album from Yuvan Shankar Raja, the absence of high-profile actresses, the use of CGI to depict a younger Vijay, and the overall content released so far, which has been received as just average.
It’s worth noting that all of Vijay’s recent albums have been chartbusters, regardless of the music director. In fact, music has been a key factor in his recent box office successes. However, GOAT’s album, which has seen three songs released so far, hasn’t produced any chart-toppers.
Despite Yuvan’s chartbuster success with ‘Love Today’ in 2022, his recent form has been inconsistent, which has put this film at a disadvantage. Fans are hopeful that Yuvan’s music for GOAT will gain appreciation after the movie’s release.
As for director Venkat Prabhu, he made a strong comeback with ‘Maanaadu’ in 2021.
It’s rare to see a director from the 2000s regain form after a slump, but Prabhu achieved that with Maanaadu, which was not only a box office hit but also a creatively brilliant blend of sci-fi and South Indian masala. However, his 2023 film ‘Custody’ was a disappointment, both critically and commercially.
Despite these concerns, Vijay’s fans and movie lovers remain optimistic about the combination of Venkat Prabhu’s genius and Vijay’s script selection, hoping that GOAT will succeed at the box office.
Only time will tell the fate of GOAT, but in the meantime, let’s enjoy the pre-release buzz. See you on September 5th.
