AGS Entertainment’s ambitious leap with ‘GOAT’: A new era for South Indian cinema
A cinematic milestone
In the ever-evolving landscape of South Indian cinema, AGS Entertainment is set to make a significant mark with its most ambitious project to date, “The Greatest of All Time” (GOAT). Starring the megastar Vijay, this film represents the company’s 25th production and promises to be a game-changer.
A conversation with Archana Kalpathi
Archana Kalpathi, the CEO of AGS Entertainment and the creative producer of “GOAT,” shared insights into this high-stakes venture. She discussed the company’s strategic vision and her perspective on the current golden age of South Indian filmmaking.
The plot thickens
Directed by Venkat Prabhu, known for his work on “Maanaadu,” ”GOAT” is an action thriller that features Vijay as an agent with the Indian intelligence agency RAW (Research and Analysis Wing). The plot revolves around a mission that goes awry, leading to a years-long saga. Kalpathi elaborates, “There’s a mission that goes wrong, and then after many years, it comes back to haunt them, and [we see] how they solve the issue.”
The pressure of expectations
The film is generating significant buzz, partly due to reports that it might be one of Vijay’s last projects before he transitions to a full-time political career. This adds an extra layer of pressure for the production team. Kalpathi acknowledges the challenge: “Doing a film with a superstar, there is always this added pressure of performing well, because it is honestly really difficult to get a good film with a big star. The expectations and the bar is set so high.”
A pan-Indian release strategy
AGS plans to release “GOAT” in Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu across approximately 5,000 screens in India. Kalpathi reveals that the overseas business for the film is expected to be substantial, with its value reaching “90% of the value of Tamil Nadu,” underscoring the global appeal of South Indian cinema. Six of the top 10 Indian grossers this year are from South India, led by “Kalki 2898 AD.” Vijay’s last release “Leo” was one of 2023’s biggest Indian hits with $74 million.
AGS Entertainment’s journey
Over the past two decades, AGS Entertainment has established itself as a powerhouse in South Indian cinema. The company ventured into film production in 2006 with “Thiruttu Payale,” followed by “Santosh Subramaniam,” both of which were commercial successes. Its diverse portfolio includes films across various genres, from romantic action comedies like “Maasilamani” to period pieces such as “Madrasapattinam,” and critically acclaimed projects like “Yudham Sei.” Notable productions also include “Maattrraan” starring Suriya, “Bigil,” and the recent hit “Love Today.”
Future projects and strategic vision
Looking beyond “GOAT,” AGS has a slate in development. This includes the Hindi-language remake of its hit romantic comedy “Love Today.” Directed by Pradeep Ranganathan, the Tamil-language film featured Ranganathan in his acting debut, Sathyaraj, Raadhika Sarathkumar, Yogi Babu, Raveena Ravi, and Ivana in lead roles. The film followed two young lovers who are forced to exchange their phones for a day and the consequences of that. The film was produced for $605,000 and went on to gross $12 million. Discussions are ongoing for Chinese and Korean remakes.
AGS is teaming with Ranganathan again on “Dragon,” which Kalpathi describes as “a very fun college film, which caters to 18-30 year-olds, and it’s a slice-of-life genre.” “Thani Oruvan 2,” a sequel to AGS’ hit 2015 action-thriller, is also in the works.
The importance of strong scripts
Kalpathi emphasizes AGS’s focus on strong scripts: “Story is the superstar of any film. Without the script, you can’t do anything. Whatever packaging, star cast, nothing will help if the script is not right.”
Expanding horizons
That philosophy has led AGS to explore productions in other Indian languages, including Malayalam, Kannada, and Marathi. Kalpathi explains the strategy: “If we feel that it’s a small story and a sweet story that can be done in four to five crores [$475,000-$600,000], it makes sense to do it in multiple languages.”
Embracing streaming platforms
While primarily focused on theatrical releases, Kalpathi acknowledges the potential of streaming platforms for longer-form storytelling: “For stories that you can’t say in three hours or two hours 40 minutes, and that need, like, 12 or 13 hours, OTT [streaming] is an amazing medium to express or tell those stories.”
Expanding the exhibition business
AGS is also expanding its exhibition business, focusing on renovating and potentially converting single-screen theaters in smaller towns of Tamil Nadu into multiplexes.
A golden era for South Indian cinema
Reflecting on the current state of the industry, Kalpathi is optimistic: “We are, according to me, in one of the golden eras of South Indian cinema, with great stories being told.”
“GOAT” releases Sept. 5 worldwide. For more details, check out the GOAT trailer.
For cinema and TV series enthusiasts, the rise of South Indian cinema offers a treasure trove of compelling stories and dynamic performances. As AGS Entertainment continues to push boundaries, the future looks bright for this vibrant industry.