UAE residents welcome Nivin Pauly's 'Premam'

Tickets for Malayalam sleeper-hit ‘Premam’, which hits the cinemas in the UAE this Thursday, is fast selling out. Majority of the shows today, and over the weekend, are already housefull, with the few shows offering only limited seats in the front row.
 
The euphoria is unusual for a Malayalam movie that doesn’t flag one of two superstars – Mammotty or Mohanlal. So, this clearly is a cue that young star Nivin Pauly has truly arrived.
 
Alphonse Puthren’s ‘Premam’ has already won millions of hearts in India, with the movie still running to packed shows.
 
Some eager UAE fans, who were unsuccessful in getting tickets for weekend shows, were evidently dejected.
 
“I have been hearing such great reviews about the movie, that I am desperate to watch it. But, I couldn’t get any tickets for this weekend. Even the front row seats aren’t together,” said Jabeen Niaz.
 
“My family back home (in Kerala) have been raving about this movie, and posting great reviews on their facebook pages. So, I was quite excited to see what the fuss is about.”
 
Apart from the good reviews and stupendous box-office collection in India, the fact that the movie is releasing in the UAE two weeks after its Indian release could also be a factor.
 
“It’s releasing two weeks after its release in India (May 29) which could also be the reason,” adds Jabeen.
 
Another unlucky fan Shaneem said he would rather wait till the rush is over. “I checked online and only few front seats are available. So, it’s better I book for the next weekend.”
 
Of the lucky ones, it is Hit96.7fm RJ Nyla Usha who will be watching it first-day, first-show. “Almost 80 per cent of our radio team is booked in,” she beamed.
 
‘Premam’ she observes has a slightly resemblance to Tamil movie ‘Autograph’. “I’m just excited to see how Alphonse’s take on how a man is influenced by three women through three stages of his life.”
 
That aside, she’s a fan of Pauly and is impressed with how he effortlessly tackles each character on-screen. “All my friends and family in India claim that it’s been a while since Malayalam cinema has stood testimony to such a simple, yet deep romance.”
 
She adds that her observations have no bearing on her “secondary job” of being a Malayalam actor. “When I talk about movies now people think it’s influenced by my movie career, but I’m sharing my thoughts just as a regular viewer.”
 
‘Premam’ is being showcased by NovoCinemas, Vox Cinemas and Reel.
 
Apart from Pauly, the movie also stars Madonna Sebastian, Sai Pallavi, and Anupama Parameshwaran.

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