On the fast track
Vedigundue Pasangge is the first local Tamil movie to break the RM1mil mark at the Malaysian box-office.
AS of Aug 9, the Malaysian-Tamil film Vedigundu Pasangge has earned RM1.02mil at the Malaysian box-office. This is the first time a local Tamil-language film has passed the RM1mil mark.
Vedigundu Pasangge opened at cinemas nationwide on July 26.
Director Vimala Perumal said she’s happy the film is doing so well with the Malaysian crowd.
“We are speechless that the film has made more than RM1mil. We are so thankful to the fans,” said an ecstatic Vimala.
“During the roadshows, we’ve learned that people who have watched the film would watch again with their friends and family. Its success is through word of mouth and also thanks to the promotions on Astro Vaanavil.”
Vedigundu Pasangge is the final film in the Pasangge trilogy that looks at Indian youths in Malaysia. It started with Vilaiyaatu Pasange in 2012, followed by Vetti Pasange in 2014.
“The first film, we showed it in three cinemas only – at GSC International Screen halls because at that time only these cinemas had digital projectors.
“By the time, the second film came out, we could show in 32 cinemas as more cinemas had digital projectors. For this film, we are showing in 55 cinemas, the largest number yet.”
Vedigundu Pasangge highlights the many cultures and traits of the Indian community in Malaysia, while portraying the friendly nature and community spirit of those living in the small town.
The story centres on snatch-theft and other social problems that are affecting the Indian community in Malaysia.
In an interview last month, producer and lead actor Denes Kumar said: “We wanted to do something that is on par with top Kollywood productions but the essence of the sequence is still very much Malaysian.”
As it happens, Vedigundu Pasangge is getting international release as well.
It was shown at selected cinemas in Britain for two weeks. Vimala said: “This is the first Malaysian Tamil movie to be shown in cinemas there.
“We are also looking at releasing the film in India, Sri Lanka and Singapore. At the moment, the film has passed India’s censorship board. It is currently waiting for a release date. India is treating Vedigundu Pasangge in the same league as films from Tamil Nadu because we use the same language. So we have to compete with other Tamil films.”
When asked if she would add on one more movie to the Pasangge series, Vimala said: “At the moment, the trilogy is complete. Maybe 10 years down the road we could do a film when the pasangge (the boys) are old (laughs).”