Date of Release: 24.06.1993

Released Theaters: Albert, Abirami, Kamala, Crown, Sri Brinda (All 4 Shows)

Other films Released together with Uzhaipazhi: Rajadhi Raja Raja Kulothunga, Raja Marthanda, Kathavaraya Krishna Kama Rajan

It means no competition.

Since there was a huge expectation for this film and none of the heroes were ready to release their movie.

Uzhaippali was one of the good hit in Rajnikanth carrier as well as very important film. Superstar met so many obstacles and faced critics through this film.

Vijaya Vahini Movies produced this film after few years gap. Director P. Vasu directed this film after the grand success of Mannan. Unlike a remake film, Vasu penned the original story based on MGR formula film ENGA VEETU PILLAI.

Distributors Tussle

Exactly on the 100th day of Pandiyan film, there were tussle between the distributors and film stars. During the debate, distributors urged the producers to control the film stars salary. All the stars including our Superstar were invited and discussed about this issue. During the mid of the session, Rajni sir suddenly stand and replied to the distributors that he was not ready to reduce his salary and consider other options. He simply said and went away. This has become very big issue and distributors decided to impart a RED CARD on our Rajni sir and also announced that in future Rajnikanth films will not be distributed. This problem has become highly talkative of Tamilnadu and happened during the month end of January. At that time, AVM’s Yejaman was ready for release hence AVM Saravanan requested the distributors that we have announced the release date hence this RED CARD system shall not impart for their film. They also agreed the same.

During that time, Rajini became headlines of Tamil Nadu. Everyday, you will see Rajini related news. All the co-stars arranged for a function to support Rajini with regard to distributors’ statement against Rajini and his film. This issue was brought to the attention of Chief Minister Jayalalitha and it was resolved amicably few days before the release of Uzhaipazhi.

It is very important to note the film NSC rights released by our Thalaivar distribution co. RAMANA FILM DISTRIBUTORS.

GRAND POOJA

5-2-1993, grand pooja for Uzhaippali was held at Vijaya Vauhini studio. The poojai was conducted even though the distributors not willing to distribute the films and the red card against Rajini was not removed. Entire film personalities were invited and the media covered the news in an exclusive manner.

E.g. Maalai Murasu evening headlines: PRACHANAIKU PIN RAJINI PADAPIDUPU
(Rajini shooting after the Problem) a 4 page articles and news published on that day.

Vasuki Magazine published a 2 page uzhaipazhi poojai article and it was titled as “5 KODI NAYAGAN” (5 Crore nayagan).

During the pooja day, veteran producer B. Nagireddy presented 101 gold coins to Rajini and blessed him. On the pooja day, production house published exclusive ad without any photos and it stated as “UZHAIPPALI INDRU MUTHA UZAHAIKA THODANGUGIRAR”.

Production house magazine BOMMAI did a special supplement on UZHAIPPALI fully in colour. It was very much attractive. Inside the supplement, the entire film unit members gave an exclusive interview about the film.

Vasu has completed the film in 58 days and film was announced for June Release.

During the production of film, production house did a very good publicity in Medias and papers. Especially on festival holidays like Pongal day and Tamil New year day, they gave special advertisements in the papers. It was very much attractive.

AUDIO RELEASE

Audio Release function was held at Vauhini Studios in very simple manner. Special guests were Chiranjeeve and Balakrishna.

Overall the music was attractive and did good sales.

After the audio release, the songs were played in Vivid Bharathi. Production house promoted the songs by requesting P.Vasu to brief on the song and the film.

Apart from 8 songs, ORU MAINA KURUVI song was SUPER HIT. Also you could notice dancer Lawrence appeared as a dancer in group song of MUTHIRAI IPPODU. At that time no body knows about it.

Actually music was penned by Ilayaraja but re-recording done by Karthick Raja

MOVIE RELEASE

Since distributors had red card against Rajini, there were number of theater owners ready to release the movie without going through distributors. Rajini have not forgotten them and until now he gives priority to these theaters.

On 17.6.1993, the reservation ad was published and on 18.6.1993 (before a week release) production house listed the entire Tamil nadu theaters with following slogan

BOOMI NINDRATHILLAI – EARTH NEVER STOPS
AGAYAM VIZHNTHATHILLAI – SKY NEVER FALL DOWN
UZHAIPPALI THOTRATHILLAI – LABOUR NEVER DEFEATED

Before the movie released, Madurai fans gave an 8 page special edition in MADURAI MANI PAPER about the Uzhaippali film. They following slogan was highlighted in the edition

YOU CAN TOUCH THE SOIL
YOU CAN TOUCH THE SKY
BUT YOU CAN’T TOUCH OUR YEJAMAN’S WISH

In Tamil

MANNAI THODALAM
VINNAI THODALAM
ANAAL ENGAL YEJAMANIN YENNATHAI THODA MUDYUMA

On the day of the release, paper ad was given in colour with the following slogan:

THIRAI ULAGIL INDRU THAN DEEPAVALI
VELLI THIRAIGALIL UZHAIPPALI

The film opening reservation was fabulous and all most 15 days House full in reservation day. The opening report was fantastic and became talk of the town.

According to daily paper ads, it was very good publicity done by Chandamama Combines. They issued daily ads till 3 weeks and later every Friday more important number of days like :

25 days ad caption: Yesterday MGR film Enga Veetu Pillai people watched Today people watch Rajini Uzhaippali

30 days ad caption: SERTHA KOOTAMILLAI THANAGA SERNDHA KOOTATHUDAN

50 days ad caption: TAMIL THIRAI ULAGIL THIRUPUMUNAI THANTHA UZAHAIPPALI INDRU 50 AVATHU NALIL ADI EDUTHU VAIKIRAR

75 days ad caption: UZHAIPPALI VETRIKU RASIGARGAL THAN PORUPPALI

100 days ad caption: UZHAIPPALI RAJNIKUM, RASIGARKALUKUM NANDRI


BOX OFFICE RECORDS

At Trichy, it was released in 3 theater such as Ramba, Oorvasi and Kalaiarangam. Initially it was only 3 but due to public demand it was screened in Maris noon show.

Thirvarurur- Thailammai theater. Uzhaipazhi broke Thalapathy, Mannan, Annamalai, Pandiyan and Yejaman within 50 days (Rs5, 19, 369.70).

Record in Thenkasi – Bharadan and Thai Bala theater manager told “during my 47 years service I did not see this type of crowd and lot of aged people and ladies are pouring to our theaters. Hence we have decided to allocate more tickets for ladies that too we are issuing the ticket an hour before the movie. 16 days collection was fabulous in our theater (Bharadan) Rs. 1, 75,659.10 which is exactly Rs54,000 more than Yejaman collection.”

Kamala Theater owner comment on Uzhaippali:

“Our theater started the year 1972 and we have not seen such a huge crowd for any film and the collection wise it is doing extra ordinary business. All are happy like producers, theaters, distributors etc. Once again Rajini has given a SUPER HIT film casually. “

Salem theater owner Subramanian appreciated the box office of the film and told that the film managed to attract ladies and they issue more tickets separately for ladies queue.


Kerala Box office:

In kerala, the film did great business and crossed 50 days in 10 centers and ran 100 days in 1 center.

Karnataka Box Office:

The film lately released in Karnataka cities on 08.04.1994. On the whole 21 theaters released.

Overseas

This film was released in overseas too especially in Singapore and Malaysia. In Singapore, it was released at Hoover Theater and ran more than 30 days. At Malaysia, it was released more than 20 theaters and did a decent business.

In Tamil Nadu, Uzhaipazhi ran 50 days in 57 theaters and ran more than 100 days in following centers like:

Chennai: Albert / Baby Albert complex: 116 days
Chennai : Abirami complex: 116 days
Chennai : Kamala Crown : 85 days
Chennai : Sri Brindha : 50 days
Madurai: Solai Malai: 100 days
Madurai : Mini Priya: 142 days (highest no of days)
Erode: Abirami complex: 125 days
Kovai: Anupallavi: 100 days
Salem: Alankar: 100 days
Nellai: PVT: 105 days
Dharmapuri: Anand: 100 days (1st Tamil film ran 100 days in this city)Tiruvananthapuram: Central: 100 days

MOVEI REVIEWS:

All most every media gave excellent reviews except Kumudam and Vikatan. They had some different thoughts and criticized the movie.

In the daily ad also they have mentioned as VIMARSITHU VELICHAM KATIYA PATHRIKAIGALUKU NANDRI.

The positive reviews published in the following papers like:
Daily Thanthi : Uzhaippali never defeated
Dinakaran: Commercial entertainer
Kumudam: mentioned about Rajini best performance when he is meeting Sujatha (Antha Oru Katchi Pothume)
Makkal Kural: highlight of the review: P.Vasu happy because of good response. Rajini gone up in box office. 1 full big complete page amazing review.
Kalkandu: SAMALIPPALI: Please note you can’t expect a positive review in this Kalkandu. They have appreciated this film especially Rajini and Vasu.
During 1990’s there was a book called TAMIL ARASI coming on weekly basis. In that magazine, they have chosen Uzhaippali as the best film for the month of June 1993

As you all knew that during end of the year, all the papers will analyze the movies of the year. On 2.1.1994 Maalai Malar rated Uzhaippali as one of the most talkative movie. They have narrated the best scene in the movie YESTERDAY COLLIE, TODAY ACTOR BUT TOMORROW?? It was a highlight of the movie.

If some other actor gives such a hit movie definitely they will celebrate 100 days function. Director Vasu also had a plan and he discussed with Rajini but our Thalaivar gently told that this film released with lot of problems, tussle, hence he doesn’t want to hurt those who are involved in the problem during the movie release. He refused to have the function.

But our fans celebrated 100 days functions at Chennai, Trichy, Nellai and Madurai. You could see the Victory shields at the theater showcases like Chennai; Albert, Abirami, Kamala, and Nellai: PVT, Madurai etc.

C CENTER THEATER LIST AND BOX OFFICE

Uzhaipazhi did good business at C Centers also and the list as follows:

PARAMAKUDI – RAVI
DEVAKOTAI – SARASWATHI
ARUPUKOTAI – TAMILMANI
SIVAKASI – GANESH + BALA GANESH
RAMESWARAM- RAMANATHASWAMY
BODI – ANAND + RAJ
PERIYAKULAM – PARVATHY
USILAMPATTI – DURAISWAMY
CHINNALAMPATTI – SRI LAKSHMI
ATHUR – VELMURUGAN
KRISHNAGIRI – CENTRAL
EDAPADI – KUMARAN
RASIPURAM – BARATHI
ATYAMPATI – BALAMURUGAN
PALLIPALAYAM – ROYAL
SALEM – BALA MANI (SECOND RELEASE)
TRICHENGODU – SRI GNANAMBIKA
KAVERIPATINAM – SANTHOSH
ARUR – DAS
JALAKANTAPURAM – ABIRAMI
SANGAGIRI – SRI KUMARAN
METUR – MTC
UTHANGKARAI – SHANTHI
PERAMBALUR – RAJA
THOTIYAM – MANICKAM
JAYAMKONDAN – PREMIER KALA PALACE
KARAIKAL – SAMEENA DELUXE
VELAYUDAMPALAYAM – KAVERI
MANAPARAI – SRIKRISHNA
ARANTHANGI – SUBA
MANAVAI – SRI BALA KRISHNA
PONAMARAVATHI – MEENA
THIRUTHURAIPOONDI – VASAN
KULITHALAI – SHANMUGANATHAN
TRICHY – MULLAI (SECOND RELEASE)
SEERGAZHI – RAJA
THURAIYUR – AJANTHA
SUBRAMANIYAPURAM – SAPIYA
TIRCHITRAMBALAM – MUTHUMARI
POOVALUR – KAVERI
PAPANADU – SAMY
MANAMELKUDI – JEGADEESWARA
VELACHERY – RAJALAKSHMI (RLEASED DIWALI 94)
UTHIRAMERUR – SEKAR
THIRUMAZHISAI – KAVERI
KUMIDIPOONDI – RAJESWARI
THIRUKAZUKUNDRAM – KANNIAMMAL
THIRUNIDRAVUR – KAVERI
ANDIMADAM – ARUNA
TRICHY – PRABHATH (AGAIN RELEASED IN TIRCHY AREA)
MANNARKUDI – SAMY
PAPANASAM – PASALA
ARIYALUR – SHAKTHI
p. AZAGAPURI – SANGAM
KEERAMANGALAM – VRK
VEERALIMALAI – ESWARI
SANGILIYANDAPURAM – MARIYAM
NAGAI – STAR
PERAVURANI – CHAKRAM
ORTHANADU – RATHNA
AMMAPETTAI – TAJ
ALANGUDI – THIYAGARAJA
ADUTHURAI – R.C.A
SEMBANAR KOIL – SIMPLOX
VEDARANYAM – PRIYA
PORAYARU – SRINIVASA
NEEDAMANGALAM – SRI VENKATESWARA
KUDAVASAL – PHILIPS
KUTHALAM – SRI RAM
ULLIKOTTAI – LAKSHMI
KANGEYAM – SORGAM (RAN FOR 4 WEEKS)
AMMAPETTAI – SRI MURUGAN (RAN 3 WEEKS)
THARAPURAM – VISALATCHI ( RAN 4 WEEKS)
SALAIPUTHUR – RAJA RAJESWARI
ATHIYUR – SELLAKUMAR (RAN 4 WEEKS)
SATHY – SATHYA
VETAIKARANPUTHUR – ABIRAMI
THIVINKAPUTHUR - SARTHAR
PALLADAM – G.P. DELUX (RAN 2 WEEKS)
KOVAI – IRUDAYA (SECOND RELEASE)
KOVAI – MUTHU –DO-
KOVAI – G.P. –DO-
VIRUGAMBAKKAM – NATIONAL (PONGAL RELEASE 1.1.94)
CHINNAPEDU – KUMARAVEL
KARUKUPETAI – VENUS
MANGADU – MALLIKA
PERUNKALATHUR – CHITRA
BALUCHETICHATHRAM – GEJALAKSHMI
CHENNAI – NOORJAHAN 24.9.93 (RAN 2 WEEKS) (SECOND RELEASE)
CHENNAI – KAMADENU 24.9.93 (RAN 2 WEEKS)
CHENNAI – MM THEATER (RAN 2 WEEKS)
CHENNAI – AMNJIKARAI – LAKSHMI (RAN 2 WEEKS)
CHENNAI – STAR 1.10.93
CHENNAI – SARASWATHI 1.10.93
CHENNAI – BRAODWAY 8.10.93

In-spite of CD, DVD, and Private Cable channels, DTH channels this film had screened many times but even though the film again released in 2000’s.

See the CHENNAI theater list released NOON SHOWS in 2005

20.05.05 – MEGALA
24.06.05 & 12.05.06 – KAMADENU
01.07.05 & 26.05.05 – NATRAJ
08.07.05 & 02.06.06 – BROADWAY
26.07.05 – STAR
26.05.06 – LIBERTY
09.06.06 - SRINIVASA

UZHAIPPALI NEVER DEFEATED!!!

-Tve Rajesh