Chennai: How to make a hit film become bigger? Just court political controversy, seems to be the mantra. Any doubts, one could check with Thenandal Studios Ltd, which produced actor Vijay ’s Tamil film, ‘ Mersal ’, this Diwali’s biggest attraction for Tamil film buffs.With Diwali falling on a Wednesday and with no consecutive holidays or long-weekends to shore up collections, the producers were reportedly sitting with fingers crossed. Especially, since the film’s budget had shot up to around Rs 130 crore, from the initially planned Rs 80 crore. They had even offered certain area theatrical rights in Tamil Nadu on distribution basis, to settle film financiers, thereby increasing the risk on themselves further.They need not have worried so much. “At the end of the first week, ‘Mersal’ has collected around Rs 160 – Rs 170 crore nett worldwide, including around Rs 45 crore from abroad, with the rest from India,” said a trade analyst, on condition of anonymity. These do not include the GST and local entertainment tax (only in Tamil Nadu), which are charged additionally.“The festivity of Diwali and the aura of a big film helped it net around Rs 35 crore worldwide on Day One,” a veteran distributor of Tamil films told TOI. The net collection for the opening day from Tamil Nadu was Rs 18 crore, with an additional Rs 3 crore each coming from Karnataka and Kerala.But, Thursday dawned differently, with BJP’s Tamil Nadu state president, Tamilisai Soundararajan taking on the film and actor Vijay for mouthing dialogues against GST. By Friday, BJP union minister Pon Radhakrishnan too joined the chorus against the film and the buzz started.It reached a crescendo on Saturday, when Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tweeted in support of the film. It not only helped draw national attention, but also increased footfall in theatres.“Mersal has done much better than actor Ajith’s recent film, ‘Vivegam’, including the overseas market. Mersal is on its way to become the highest overseas grossing non-Rajinikanth Tamil film, even though it has done better than ‘Kabaali’ in the UK and is at par in Singapore,” the analyst pointed out. Kabaali scored way higher in the US and Canada.But for the controversy, the feeling in the industry is that the film would not have become such a big hit. It has surely grossed at least 50% more in theatrical collections, than what was otherwise expected by the trade in normal times, sans any controversy.“It would have been a hit film. Thanks to them, it has become bigger now,” L Suresh of Anandha Pictures, an industry veteran told TOI. But, why do politicians do it? “Honestly, it is indiscretion. Had they kept quiet, it would not have become such a big hit,” Suresh said.