Sai Pallavi is known for being selective with her films. It is rare for her to have even one major release in a year. But November could see her achieve a rare feat with two big pan-Indian releases within 12 days.
The first is Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana Part 1, in which Sai Pallavi plays Goddess Sita opposite Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. Yash plays Ravana, while Sunny Deol appears as Hanuman. Mounted on a massive scale, the film is planned as a two-part adaptation of the epic. Its international release is scheduled for November 6, while the Indian release is targeted for November 8, around Diwali.
Just 12 days later, Sai Pallavi will return to theatres with Dhanush and Mammootty’s OM, scheduled for November 20. Directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, the pan-Indian action drama also features Sreeleela and Naseeruddin Shah. The film was initially planned for October 16 but was postponed to avoid a clash with Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2.
Ramayana is a mythological epic targeting a global audience, while OM is an action-drama featuring stars from different industries. Sai Pallavi will be seen in two completely different roles within less than a fortnight.
However, the challenges are also different. Despite the massive budget and star cast, Ramayana’s ground-level buzz appears moderate compared with the expectations surrounding a film reportedly mounted on a Rs. 4,000 crores scale. It may get a huge opening, but whether the collections will justify the budget remains to be seen. Sai Pallavi’s casting as Sita is another crucial factor. Despite her acting talent, some viewers have doubts about whether she suits the role.
OM, meanwhile, may have pan-Indian names, but it appears closer to a conventional action drama. This genre should be more comfortable territory for Sai Pallavi.
If both films succeed, November could become a landmark month for the actress, giving her a rare chance to score two BIG successes within 12 days.
