For many moviegoers, a film needs to have a unique appeal to justify a trip to the theater. If not backed by technical brilliance, it should at least have a compelling story to generate strong word-of-mouth. Without these factors, audiences hesitate to head to cinemas. Balagam proved that an emotionally engaging story can triumph over budget and grandeur.
To be precise, Balagam breathed new life into rural-themed storytelling. At a time when filmmakers were recreating village settings abroad for their shoots, this film revived the essence of authentic rural narratives and rekindled the theatrical experience in villages. It also paved the way for more emotion-driven family dramas, as seen in Bapu and Ramam Raghavam.
Bapu, starring Brahmaji and Aamani, hit theaters on February 21 and is set to stream on JioCinema (formerly Hotstar) from March 7. Meanwhile, Ramam Raghavam, featuring Dhanraj and Samuthirakani in key roles, revolves around the emotional bond between a father and son. Released on the same day, the film will be available for streaming on ETV Win from March 14. It remains to be seen whether these films, which had a modest theatrical run, will find their audience in the digital space.
