We just saw the Salman Khan starrer galloping past 500 crore mark. It is slated to cross Bollywood’s biggest grosser ever – PK, an Aamir Khan-starrer. But the fan frenzy one is witnessing for the latest Rajinikanth release beats them both hollow. The Rajini mania is way beyond all the three Khans put together.
Even before its release, Kabali has generated business of 200 crore. According to reports, Kabali released in 12,000-plus screens worldwide in 30 countries. Dubbed in five languages; it is the first time a Tamil film has also been released in Malay.
The revenge drama has witnessed endless pre-release publicity. For a change Rajini plays his age, a dapper gangster with salt and pepper hair and beard. Kabali attempts to recreate some history about Malaysian Tamils.
First Day First Night
The First Day First Show started in the wee hours of the morning; as the earliest show in Chennai started around (hold your breath) 4 o clock in the morning. Celebrations had begun on Thursday night itself. So Friday for the fans effectively started Thursday night as the celebrations began before midnight.
Huge crowds gathered around plazas and movie theatres and were seen having a gala time on the streets. The ticket counters were flooded and the fans were seen complaining about lack of tickets. Many offices in the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu declared Kabali Day a holiday.
Few Rajini fans from Japan also flew down to Chennai to watch the film; such fan fervor throughout the day marked Kabali’s release. Be it the fantabulous personality, the classy walking style or the quick-witted dialogue delivery, the Thalaiva rules.
The mixed review by the critics notwithstanding the movie has already been declared a super hit. But anyway, a Rajinikanth film is just a medium to have a look at Rajini’s evergreen aura onscreen. Whatever the plotline, Rajini stands invincible.
The fans are just crazy to hear and repeat his easy-going dialogues, imitate his posture of sitting and having a cigar. They wait, rather too anxiously for the thrill of seeing the bad guys being broken down to pieces while the hero stands erect over their lifeless bodies in the climax.
By Jasmine Sharma
