After several delays due to Coronavirus, Boney Kapoor’s Valimai, starring Ajith Kumar, will be releasing nationwide on February 24, and the producer says that backing a big-budget action drama like this one during the pandemic comes with its own risks.

“There were big setbacks, both in terms of finance and time. But I had the determination to help the director get what he wanted. In fact, I also had four other projects — the Tamil remakes of Badhaai Ho and Article 15, and the Hindi films, Maidaan and Mili — on floors during this time. These are challenges which every producer must be ready to face,” he states.

Quiz him if he ever mulled taking the OTT route and he says, “OTT is now part of our revenue stream and helps us reach wider audiences. But certain films, like this one, are made for the big screen and I believe in making films for the big screen.” Boney's association with Ajith began when the actor played a cameo in Sridevi’s English Vinglish.

“My wife was very keen that we do films in south Indian languages, too, as she had begun her journey with Tamil and Telugu films. My first south film as a full-fledged producer, Nerkonda Paarvai, was with Ajith. We were both very satisfied with the response, and began working on Valimai. We felt comfortable working with each other and we are now going to do our third film together.”

Now, along with the Tamil version, the producer is releasing the film in Telugu, Hindi and Kannada as well. “The film has family drama, fantastic action and also something for the audiences to take home. So, it has the potential to work everywhere. You can call this the beginning of a pan-India release for Ajith’s films,” he signs off.