Jyotika’s comeback film, 36 Vayadhinile , the story of a 36-year-old government employee regaining her self-esteem, has been raking in the moolah at the box office, persuading theatre owners to provide more screens to the film.
The film has reportedly collected more than Rs. 3 crore in the opening weekend, with most of it coming from Chennai and Coimbatore. With trade pundits predicting that the total collection could be anywhere between Rs. 18 crore and Rs. 20 crore, the film was swiftly shifted to bigger screens, to compete with Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai , a multi-starrer featuring Arya, Vijay Sethupathi and Shaam, which released on the same day.
A number of factors have been attributed to the success of the film: one, the lack of options during the holiday season as big star vehicles have bombed at the box office, and two, the film was marketed well, with a special emphasis on Jyotika playing her age. This seems to have brought women across all ages and socio-economic classes to the theatres.
Reports from theatres show that no film in the recent past has managed to draw such a huge number of women. Asked why it had left such an impact, C. Poorani, a college student, said that it encourages women to follow their dreams. “It urges middle-aged women to think about their aspirations. It’s inspiring to see Jyotika donning the role of a 36-year-old, which could encourage other actors to choose similar characters,” she said.
The film forces the audience to evaluate where one stands in life, says T. Jayashree, a teacher and a resident of Kolathur. She is not an avid movie buff, but was keen to watch this movie with her daughter after hearing rave reviews. “I am working in a school. It is impossible not to assess one’s life after watching the movie. I couldn't stop thinking about my interest in crafts when I was out of the theatre,” she says.
There were women who, while empathising with Jyotika’s character, said that they would have liked the film to delve a bit more into how marriage stifles a woman’s career and alters her life. “Earlier, we took our own decisions. Marriage brings along with it a change in identity. The film could have highlighted that as well along with the age factor,” says T. Kamala of West Mambalam.
Meenakshi K., a retired professor from Arumbakkam, says that the film “speaks against the ill-treatment of women in families. I have been trying to reach out to society in a small way.” R.S. Anusha, a college student, feels that the film could provide the much-needed boost for women who sulk about their life after marriage. “Times have changed. There are more women working in areas from which they have been traditionally excluded. This film will encourage them to take up challenging assignments,” she says.
( With inputs from T. Madhavan )
