Deepavali is just two weeks away but the release schedule of Tamil films is still murky. People in the industry say that there is still some issue or the other with the films that are likely to release on that day.

Says a trade source, “While Thuppakki and Podaa Podi have some financial issues to be sorted out as they were taken over by new producers during production, others like Kumki and Neerparavai are still in post production and their producers are hesitant to lock the release date.”

The most expected film is of course Vijay’s Thuppakki, which sees the Ilayathalapathy teaming up with director A R Murugadoss for the first time. But the producers are planning to release the film four days prior to Deepavali on November 9.

While this move by the biggie will not only give it additional days to cash in, it will also provide some room for the smaller films that will be releasing on the festival day. However, some are also of the opinion that the producers might shift it to November 13 based on feedback from the people who have seen the film. The film has apparently been sold in all areas except in Chennai city and the NSC belt.

Industry insiders confirm that Kumki has been pushed back and is likely to hit screens only in December. Meanwhile, distributors in interior parts are demanding that Udhayanidhi Stalin, producer of Neerparavai, release his film on that day as they feel Simbu’s romantic film is too urban-centric. However, the film is still under post production. Meanwhile, Pizza’s remarkable show in Chennai has made it difficult for them to pull it off the screens.

Says the manager at a multiplex, “As of now, it is not clear how many movies will be releasing for Deepavali. I feel having two big films and one small film is ideal for a festival release. Thuppakki and Podaa Podi have started booking theatres but Kumki, which we thought would release along with these two, has now backtracked. Among the small films, Thangar Bachan’s film might get screens that the biggies haven’t booked. Any other film will have to settle for whatever screen is available.”

There is also a considerable demand, especially in urban centres, for the two Hindi movies — Shah Rukh Khan’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Ajay Devgn’s Son Of Sardar — that are releasing on that day. And, theatre owners feel that given the good reports initial screenings of the latest James Bond film Skyfall have received abroad, the film is likely to stay on in some screens despite its release on November 1.

This is expected to affect small films like Mansoor Ali Khan’s Lollu Dada Parakh Parakh and Vetkathai Kettal Enna Tharuvai, directed by Thabu Sankar, which are also hoping to release on the big day.