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        Deepavali, the festival of  lights, brought with it a host of films. Though nearly a dozen were in the race initially, finally just half-a-dozen made it to theatres. They included Ajit's Varalaru, Silambarasan starrer Vallavan, Vijayakanth's Dharmapuri, Thalaimagan starring Sarath Kumar, Vattaram directed by Charan and Jeeva's E.
 

        After witnessing trouble over adequate prints and getting the right theatres for their films, the real fight began late afternoon on Saturday.

        When everything seemed settled, came the monsoon rain which played spoilsport on the movies' collections.

        Amidst the films this Deepavali, Ajit's Varalaru took a bumper opening. Though the movie was in the cans for a long time, it managed to draw good crowds on its release.

        Featuring Ajit in three roles, the movie has won plaudits for Ajit's histrionics as a bharathanatyam dancer. Added to Ajit's charisma, the presence of big names like K S Ravikumar, A R Rehman and Asin worked out well in their favour.

        The movie opened to 100 per cent collection at all the 22 theatres where it was screened in the Chennai and its suburbs. In spite of monsoon rain and the cricket fever gripping youth, Varalaru continues to put up a decent show. Varalaru has netted huge revenue in several centres.

        Vallavan, the directorial venture of Silambarasan, screened in prominent theatres in Chennai did opened big. Pre-release hype and expectations brought good audience to it. But mixed reviews there after and the monsoon rain resulted in sharp drop in its collections last weekend.

        E starring Jeeva and Nayanthara and directed by Jananathan won rave reviews but is finding it difficult to convert them into commercial prospects.

        All other movies including Thalaimagan, Dharmapuri and Vattaram have witnessed just lukewarm response which has sent shock waves in the industry. Amidst half-a-dozen other films released this Deepavali, Varalaru has clearly emerged the winner pipping out others in the Deepavali race.

        A section of the distributors feel the weather forecast for the next few days is not good which may force audience to stay indoors.

        Youth, who normally throng theatres have preferred to watch cricket action live with Mini World Cup reaching the knockout stage. As a result even advance bookings have comedown. And they also fear the onslaught of pirated VCDs which would affect their prospects.