It is still a suspense for the trade in Tamil Nadu, but distributors in Kerala have announced release dates for Mankatha and Velayudham !
Divya Pictures in Kozhikode are taking booking from theatres in Kerala for Ajith’s Mankatha which according to them is slated for August 19 release.
The theatres are showing great interest, as they are looking for movie content three weeks before Onam.
Meanwhile Shibu of Thameens, Kerala’s leading distributor of Tamil films has clearly told the trade that Velayudham will release on August 31, Ramzan day in nearly 100 screens in Kerala.
Both the Ajith and Vijay starrer distribution rights for Kerala have been sold for high prices.
As per trade, if the film releases on August 31, it will have a dream opening for 10 days between Ramzan second biggest festival for movies and Onam the biggest festival in Kerala falling on September 8.
Says Shibu: “I have told Vijay sir and Ravi sir ( producer Aascar Ravichandran), that it is a dream date and we should not miss it.”


Source 2: Velayudham, Mankatha in August

Vijay's 51st film Velayudham, directed by Jayam Raja and Ajith starrer Mankatha will hit the screens in August.
Velayudham stars Genelia and Hansika Motwani as heroines, while Trisha and Lakshmi Rai form part of Mankatha.

Produced by Aascar Ravichandaran, plans are on to release Velayudham on 31 August. There are 15 villains and 30 comedians in the film.

Meanwhile sources say that Mankatha, directed by Venkat Prabhu and produced by Dayanidhi Alagiri will come early - 19 August. The movie will be released in a big way for it is Ajith's 50th film.