The excitement spread like wild fire. On Thursday, ‘Superstar’ Rajnikanth’s euphoric fans were waiting out the last hours before Kabali hit the screens. The actor, and many others, watched the film in the U.S. on Wednesday. In Muscat, there was a long queue for tickets, while in London, Google listed seven cinemas for the film. At home, no price was too great to see the film on day one.
Chennai
At Albert theatre, which Rajnikanth fans prefer for first-day-first-show, chaos prevailed on Thursday. When the theatre opened bookings, fans tried to push open the gates, resulting in a police lathicharge.
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Car bonnets in the city were painted over with Kabali stickers, and hair stylists provided special cuts for men that cropped the film’s name or the star’s face into the hairdo.
The ticket rush has been on for a week. Some big multiplexes began bookings on Sunday night, and smaller screens opened after them – drawing vast numbers of fan clubs. Corporates have done bulk bookings of even 200 tickets at Rs.500 each for employees and their families for Friday and Saturday.
Social media was abuzz after a two minute clip reportedly from the introduction scene appearing on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter. Producer Kalaippuli S. Thanu and film personalities tweeted, asking people not to watch the clip and to stand against piracy.
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Bengaluru
Besides the customary cut-outs, for the first time a five-and-half feet tall clay statue of Rajnikanth in the film, in black Italian suit, sunglasses and European watch will greet fans at Nataraj Theatre. “Two statues will be brought in a procession from Magadi, where famous idol makers Shivakumar and Mallikarjuna have worked on them. One will be installed in Urvashi theatre,” said L. Siva, president, Dalapathi Fans’ Association.
Rajnikanth’s alma mater, the Government Kannada Model Primary School in Gavipuram will celebrate its most famous alumnus’ latest with a special screening next week. A plan to screen the film in star hotels has fallen through.
Mumbai
To mark the film’s release, a procession is planned from Ram Mandir, near King’s Circle garden, to Aurora Talkies, Matunga’s Tamil neighbourhood cinema. A free eye camp in the theatre by Aditya Jyot Eye hospital, Wadala and a blood donation camp by fans are highlights.
The producer and film personalities tweeted, asking people not to watch the clip and to stand against piracy
Producer Kalaippuli S. Thanu and film personalities tweeted, asking people not to watch the clip and to stand against piracy