Oct 06, 2026 1:00pm IST
Mammootty Vs. Dulquer Salmaan: Nov. 20 Clash Between ‘OM’ And ‘Aakasamlo Oka Tara’ Heats Up
Once “OM - Chapter 1: Udhiram” locked November 20 as its new release date, trade circles started buzzing about an intriguing father-versus-son box-office clash. The big-budget action entertainer, Dhanush and Mammootty-starrer “OM” is set to take on Dulquer Salmaan’s multilingual romantic drama ”Aakasamlo Oka Tara (AOT), which is also scheduled for November 20.
Directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, “OM” was originally slated for October 16 but was subsequently postponed. Dhanush, one of the producers, did not want the film to clash with his former father-in-law, superstar Rajinikanth’s pan-India spectacle “Jailer 2,” which locked the Pooja holiday weekend with an October 15 release. Dhanush explained that the postponement was out of “respect for Rajinikanth and ‘Jailer 2’” and that the film was also avoiding the Diwali window on November 6, already occupied by Suriya’s upcoming ’Scene.’
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Dulquer Salmaan’s “AOT” features him in a solo-hero role and is, essentially, a Telugu-language film, with dubbed versions planned in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. Directed by Pavan Sadineni, the romantic drama explores love, hope, heartbreak and healing, with newcomer Satvika Veeravalli as the female lead. Dulquer is hugely popular in the Telugu states, especially as a romantic hero, following hits such as “Sita Ramam,” “Lucky Baskhar,” “Kalki 2898 AD” and “Kaantha.”
“AOT” also enjoys a strong trade setup, with major players including Geetha Arts, Dharma Productions, Think Studios and Wayfarer Films involved in distribution across territories. Netflix has bagged the post-theatrical digital rights. There is considerable pressure on Dulquer to deliver, though, after his last release “I’m Game” failed to make an impact.
Meanwhile, “OM,” produced by Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films and RTake Studios, is still being sold across several territories. Trade sources indicate that the Tamil Nadu theatrical deal will be crucial. The action thriller is said to have a landing cost of around ₹130 crore, while Netflix has acquired the digital rights. The makers are confident of its pan-Indian appeal, backed by an impressive ensemble featuring Dhanush, Mammootty, Naseeruddin Shah, Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela. Buzz is that a major Mumbai-based distribution company is in talks for the all-India rights.
What makes this clash particularly intriguing is the Dulquer–Mammootty father-son factor, adding an extra layer of curiosity for fans and trade alike. As per trade sources, “OM” is expected to hold the advantage in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, while “AOT” has the upper hand in the crucial Telugu market.
Both films are targeting wide multilingual releases across Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam, setting up a major battle for screens across the South. The bigger challenge could come from the November 6 Diwali releases — “Ramayana” and Suriya’s “Scene,” which are expected to retain a substantial screen presence.
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