Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali’s initial limited release was strategic, says director Chandrajith Belliappa
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When Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali (ITI) came to theatres, film aficionados were surprised at how limited the initial release was. In a box-office clash with Thalapathy Vijay’s The G.O.A.T, ITI, seemed to have received the raw end of the stick, or so it was thought. Director Chandrajith Belliappa had also voiced concern over getting the right screens and show timings. This prompted several netizens to wonder if it was a failure on the part of the part of the distribution partner.
Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali's release strategy explained
Speaking to The Hindu, Chandrajith has now explained that Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali’s 40-odd screens release was a conscious decision made by the team. “We were clear that we did not start out with a clear demand to justify 200 screens. Even the awareness about the film was minimal at that point. We began with 40 screens, but within a few days, it grew three-fold, purely based on demand. Our first set of audience, therefore, were those who had seen the trailer and songs and wanted to watch the film. Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali began its theatrical journey with reviews from the target audience, which helped a great deal,” he explains.
Family audiences connected with Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali
When the film was released, Chandrajith adds, the fact that it was produced by Rakshit Shetty’s Paramvah Studios and that some of the songs had worked well and reached a set of audience outside of their immediate circles, were the only USPs. Based on the content, the debutant filmmaker had hoped that it would work for youngsters and those with an affinity for books, literature, and poetry. To his pleasant surprise, though, Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali worked for family audiences.
“Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali is not a tragic movie; it’s a happy movie because it is about making peace with what life has to offer,” Chandrajith describes the film, which is still in theatres, and stars Vihaan, Ankita Amar and Mayuri Nataraj, with Geethanjali-fame Girija Shettar in a pivotal cameo. Gagan Baderiya’s music is a major highlight.
