The much-anticipated Thalapathy Vijay-starrer Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) has finally hit cinemas globally, but fans who were eager to watch the action-packed film in Hindi are facing disappointment. The Hindi version of GOAT is not widely available, especially in national chains like PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, which typically dominate the cinema landscape in India. This has left many wondering why such a big release isn’t showing in these major theatres and where they can watch the Hindi version.
Why Isn’t GOAT Available in National Chains?
Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh revealed the reason behind the absence of GOAT’s Hindi version in national multiplex chains. According to his post, these chains have a strict policy that requires all new Hindi films to maintain an 8-week gap between their theatrical release and their premiere on OTT (over-the-top) streaming platforms. This rule has been enforced for some time to ensure that theatrical releases have a longer window before shifting to online platforms, thereby maximizing cinema attendance and revenue for theatres.
Unfortunately for GOAT, the film’s producers were not willing to comply with this 8-week rule, as they likely wanted to make the film available on OTT platforms earlier. This disagreement has led to a standoff between the film’s distribution team and the national cinema chains, resulting in the Hindi version of GOAT not being available in these multiplexes. This is a significant setback for fans who frequent these chains, as PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis are known for offering a premium movie-watching experience across major cities in India.
Where Can You Watch GOAT in Hindi?
Despite the absence of GOAT in national chains, the film is still accessible to fans in certain regional and independent theatres across the country. For instance, if you’re located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, you can find showtimes for the Hindi version of GOAT on ticket booking platforms like BookMyShow. The app lists several local theatres that are screening the film on Friday, September 6, 2024. Fans can check these platforms and nearby cinema halls for availability in their area, ensuring they don’t miss out on this much-talked-about release.
About the Film: GOAT’s Budget, Cast, and More
GOAT is not just another action film; it’s a massive cinematic project made on a reported budget of around ₹400 crore, making it one of the most expensive Indian films produced in 2024. Directed with high expectations and featuring state-of-the-art special effects, GOAT has already generated buzz for its larger-than-life sequences and gripping storyline.
The film stars Thalapathy Vijay in the lead role, alongside a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Prashanth, Prabhudeva, Mohan, Jayaram, Sneha, Laila, Ajmal Amir, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Parvati Nair, Vaibhav, Yogi Babu, Premgi Amaren, Yugendran Vasudevan, and Akilan. With such a stellar cast and a massive production budget, the film has been highly anticipated not just in Tamil Nadu but across India and internationally as well.
What to Expect from GOAT?
GOAT is expected to be an action-packed entertainer with all the elements that fans have come to love from Thalapathy Vijay’s films—high-octane stunts, intense drama, and larger-than-life moments. Vijay’s performance has always been a major draw, and early reviews have already started praising his portrayal of the lead character.
In addition to its core action elements, GOAT also features moments of emotional depth, as Vijay’s character navigates through personal and societal challenges. The film’s cinematography and special effects are another highlight, with many sequences designed to deliver a visual spectacle.
While GOAT is a Tamil-language film, the Hindi version holds significant importance for expanding its reach to a broader audience. Thalapathy Vijay has a huge fan following beyond Tamil Nadu, particularly in the Hindi-speaking belt of North India. His films, when dubbed in Hindi, tend to do well at the box office, with Hindi-speaking fans eagerly awaiting the chance to watch his movies in their preferred language.
However, the absence of the Hindi version in national multiplex chains could impact its box office performance in Hindi-speaking regions. This makes it all the more important for regional and independent theatres to fill the gap, allowing fans to access the film in Hindi despite the absence of screenings in major chains.
The lack of screenings in national chains could potentially limit the box office performance of GOAT’s Hindi version, but the film still has a strong chance of performing well thanks to Thalapathy Vijay’s massive fan base. In regions where the film is being screened, fans are expected to flock to cinemas to catch the action on the big screen.
Moreover, the fact that the film is not tied down by the 8-week rule for OTT platforms may allow it to perform well in the digital space once it becomes available for streaming. This could open up new revenue streams and audience access, potentially compensating for any losses incurred due to the limited theatrical release of the Hindi version.
For now, fans who are eager to watch GOAT in Hindi should keep an eye on ticket booking platforms and local theatre listings to find showtimes near them. Despite the challenges, the film is still one of the biggest releases of 2024, and Thalapathy Vijay’s star power alone is likely to ensure that it remains a major talking point in the world of Indian cinema.