Undoubtedly the biggest news in K-Town this week is the ‘very late but latest release’ of Vaalu. This long-in-the-making, much-delayed film starring Simbu and Hansika in the lead roles and directed by Vijay Chander is expected to be a racy commercial entertainer on the evidence of the trailer, songs and teasers released so far.
Simbu’s loyal fans must have been waiting for this day ever since the film was announced. We have to give it to them for always keeping their star and the movie in the news through their social media presence, tags and trends. Though the film was finding it difficult to hit the screens over the past couple of years, it was constantly in the news, one way or the other. Vaalu is actually a case study by itself wherein the internet was majorly used to fuel the buzz, banking on Simbu’s fans and also the many industry celebrities who were associating with the movie in one way or the other.
Initially the tributes to MGR, Rajini and Ajith in one of the film’s songs (Thaarumaaru) gave the film a lot of mileage. Then the possible presence of Saroja Devi, Kushboo and Simran in this song gave Vaalu more media eyeballs and share among the audience’s minds. Later, a possible contest with Dhanush’s Maari created quite a rage thanks to the ‘Simbu vs Dhanush’ factor. Then with Vijay pitching in to help the release of the film and Udhayanidhi Stalin’s name controversially doing the rounds, the Vaalu news wave encompassed a whole range of stars.
Not to forget, Simbu’s one-time romance with the lead lady Hansika and snaps of his 2014 birthday celebration with her which created quite a sensation and added more hype to Vaalu. Santhanam’s 9th outing in a Simbu film, where he is the main lead, was another worthy news item. Most recently, it is said that Superstar Rajini himself called Simbu and wished him for the release on 14th.
With such a solid star-studded marketing presence for the film, will it march its way to success despite the delays? Will the film remain relevant irrespective of the delays in production? We have to wait for the answers to these questions till 14th. In the meanwhile, there is a little trivia that should keep the Vaalu team and all Simbu fans in good spirits.
There are three other ‘V’ films - Varalaru, Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu and Vishwaroopam which faced their own shares of delays, issues and hurdles before their respective releases and yet managed to garner box-office glory. Simbu has his own love affair with the letter 'V' as films like Vallavan, Vinaaithaandi Varuvaaya and Vaanam have been special for him. Can Vaalu join this illustrious ‘V’ list and continue these spooky, quirky phenomena?
But before all that, the excitement is definitely there to check out Simbu as 'Sharpu' in Vaalu. Good luck to the team as they eye success. With such a long gestation period, one can be sure that the success, if it happens, would feel really really special.
Kaushik.L.M
