Lal Salaam OTT release update: Aishwarya Rajinikanth to release extended cut soon. Details inside
While the theatrical version of Lal Salaam underwhelmed at the box office, Aishwarya Rajinikanth is set to unveil a new extended cut on streaming, offering fans an alternative take on the film that stays true to her original vision.
Updated : September 16, 2024 10:55 AM ISTWhile the theatrical version of Lal Salaam underwhelmed at the box office, Aishwarya Rajinikanth is set to unveil a new extended cut on streaming, offering fans an alternative take on the film that stays true to her original vision.
Rajinikanth in Lal Salaam
Filmmaker Aishwarya Rajinikanth has confirmed that her latest movie Lal Salaam, featuring her father, Superstar Rajinikanth in an extended cameo, will finally be released on a streaming platform soon. It is believed that the film will make its digital premiere on Netflix. An official announcement is awaited.
In a recent interview, Aishwarya, who co-wrote and directed Lal Salaam, revealed plans to release an extended cut, significantly different from the theatrical version. She shared that several commercial compromises were made for the film’s theatrical release. However, Aishwarya is confident that the streaming version will showcase her unaltered vision.
Additionally, she mentioned that the production team managed to retrieve some lost footage, allowing her to present the film as it was originally intended. The buzz is that Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman will re-score the extended version for its OTT release, without any additional remuneration.
Lal Salaam, bankrolled by Lyca Productions, opened in January this year but received poor reviews, with lacklustre word-of-mouth. The film ended its theatrical run with around Rs 20 crore in Tamil Nadu, falling far short of its estimated Rs 80 crore budget, making it a commercial failure. Despite Rajinikanth’s cameo, the movie struggled at the box office. Featuring Vishnu Vishal, Vikranth, and Vignesh in lead roles, the film’s failure to secure an immediate streaming deal came as a surprise, given its high-profile cast and crew.
Aishwarya revealed that she never initially intended to cast Rajinikanth in Lal Salaam. However, when he learned about the script, he expressed interest in the character of Mohideen Bhai and offered to play the role. The offer was too good for Aishwarya to refuse. Once Rajinikanth came on board, though, Aishwarya admitted that she was compelled to restructure the film to cater to his larger-than-life image, which ultimately affected the storytelling.
Lal Salaam is a period drama that explores the politics of hatred and the devastating consequences of communal disharmony in society.