The makers of the upcoming Malayalam-language wrestling drama Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies have officially announced via their social media feed that PVR Inox Limited has secured the theatrical distribution rights for the film in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The announcement was made in a post on Instagram and confirms the territorial deal.
According to the announcement, the theatrical rights for these two major South Indian markets have been locked with PVR Inox. While the financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, the move is a significant step in the film’s distribution strategy, ensuring that the film reaches multiplex audiences in key territories beyond its home state of Kerala. The announcement follows earlier tie-ups including Kerala rights acquired by Wayfarer Films (headed by actor-producer Dulquer Salmaan), music rights acquired by music giant T-Series, and overseas rights acquired by The Plot Pictures. Together, these partnerships point to an ambitious release plan designed to give the film a strong presence both domestically and internationally.
Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies marks the directorial debut of Advaith Nayar and features leading Malayalam actors Arjun Ashokan, Roshan Mathew, Vishak Nair and Ishan Shoukath in prominent roles. Set against the gritty and vibrant backdrop of Fort Kochi, the film explores a fictional underground wrestling circuit and the lives intertwined with it. The project has generated significant buzz since its announcement for its fresh setting, youthful cast, and mass appeal narrative. The film’s original songs are composed by the legendary trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, who are making their Malayalam debut, while the background score will be handled by Mujeeb Majeed.
The film is being produced by Ritesh S Ramakrishnan and Shihan Shoukath under the Reel World Entertainment banner. Cinematography is by Anend C Chandran, whose previous work is noted for its dynamic visual grammar, especially in high-energy sequences. Editing is by Praveen Prabhakar, whereas action choreography is handled by Kalai Kingson.
For PVR Inox Pictures, acquiring the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu rights is part of a larger strategy of expanding Malayalam cinema’s reach in non-Kerala markets. Over the past few years, PVR has played a crucial role in distributing Malayalam hits such as 2018, Rorschach and Romancham in these territories. These films benefited from the multiplex chain’s expansive footprint and its ability to bring strong regional content to new audiences, particularly in Bengaluru and Chennai, where Malayalam films have consistently drawn sizeable crowds.
Their involvement with Chatha Pacha signals continued faith in Malayalam cinema’s growing cross-border appeal. By placing the film strategically in multiplexes across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, PVR aims to replicate the success of its previous Malayalam releases, capitalising on the increasing willingness of audiences to watch films across languages with subtitles. This trend has been steadily growing over the past five years, reshaping how regional films are distributed and marketed across South India.
As Chatha Pacha moves closer to its theatrical release, this deal positions the film for a broader, pan-South rollout. With PVR Inox on board for key territories, and strong partners already in place for Kerala, music and overseas, the film is expected to be one of the most widely distributed Malayalam titles of the year. An official release date is expected to be announced soon.
