The trend of South Indian films achieving pan-India success is increasingly becoming commonplace. Following the unprecedented success of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule, which has amassed Rs 1700 Cr globally, Unni Mukundan’s Malayalam action-thriller Marco is now making significant strides at the Indian box office.

Marco has already garnered Rs 65 Cr worldwide within just 11 days and experienced a substantial rise in its theatre presence in North India over the past weekend. Additionally, it is scheduled for release in Telugu and Tamil on January 1 and January 3, respectively.

Unni Mukundan on Pushpa 2 success: ‘It’s about how the film is made’

In a recent interview conducted to promote the Hindi version of Marco, Unni discussed the significance of effective marketing in achieving pan-Indian success for films.

"I believe that both Pushpa 2 and Marco stand out among the rest. The quality of the content and the execution of Pushpa 2 contributed significantly to its widespread appeal; the same applies to Marco," Unni Mukundan stated in an interview with Zoom. "Many films are produced on a grand scale, yet they fail to achieve similar reach. Audiences today are discerning enough to recognize that a high budget does not guarantee a connection with them. Ultimately, it is the content that dictates whether a film deserves substantial marketing efforts."

The actor further elaborated on the challenges of achieving pan-Indian success, noting, "There are around 200 films being produced, but we are only focusing on two. This indicates a very low success rate. Such is the nature of the industry. Each film must resonate with the audience for it to be successful."

Marco stars on changing trends in Indian cinema

Unni, who has achieved significant success with his film Malikkappuram, which grossed Rs 100 Cr, expressed scepticism regarding the future popularity of big-budget or pan-Indian films in the upcoming year. He remarked, “During my formative years, there were prominent ‘mass’ films, parallel cinema, and productions featuring newcomers; these elements continue to exist. Such trends have always been present. The current perception of cinema and the tendency to complicate discussions surrounding it are what have evolved.” 

Furthermore, the actor noted that there is now a greater focus on directors and actors, asserting that cinema merely reflects societal dynamics rather than shaping them.

In a previous interview, when discussing the societal impact of violent films like Marco, he stated that audiences possess the maturity to remain unaffected by such portrayals. “People understand that we are merely performing, and this is intended solely for entertainment,” he commented.

Read Also: Marco's Earnings Take a Hit: ₹1.65 Cr on Day 11 Amidst 46% Decline