Torrent of Rajinikanth jokes as ‘Kabali’ shatters BO records

Kabali’s opening day collection will be second highest after Bahubali (5.15 crores).

Directed by Pa. Ranjith, the film features Rajinikanth as a don who fights for Tamils in Malaysia.

In his 159th film, the 65-year-old actor plays an ageing don living in Malaysia. In Chennai and Bangalore also many corporate offices announced holidays due to Kabali release.

With most shows prebooked for the weekend, the film is expected to collect over Rs120 crore in the first weekend, a figure, which could not be verified independently.

Add this to the North America earnings, and you have Rs 50+ crores. So overall In India only it has collected approximately 28 to 32 crores on first day. According to locals, the film’s tickets were sold in black for as high as Rs 5000 for the first show.

In some places, fans complained of lack of availability of tickets as they were bulk-booked by individuals and companies well in advance though there was an overall mood of joy outside theatres that screened the multi-crore film, produced by Kalaippuli S Thanu. Kabali’s India collections stand at Rs 250 crore while its overseas box office has yielded Rs 100 crore until now.

Although, according to an industry insider, the maker’s box-office collection claim seems highly exaggerated.

Such is the hype around the film, which is being shown on 12,000 screens across India, that several businesses in the south of the country gave their employees the day off on Friday so they could watch it.

From premiere shows alone, the film has collected $2 million from the United States and Canada markets – where it released in over 400 screens – according to distribution company CineGalaxy Inc.

As of the positive word of mouth gardened by the flick, it is evident that the occupancy will hold on the second day.

Bollywood trade analyst Taran Adarsh also stated that the film has become a worldwide phenomenon, tweeting, “If this is not EARTH-SHATTERING, what is?”

“#Kabali [Tamil+Telugu] sets new benchmarks in preview shows in USA-Canada…”

“Salman’s Sultan minted Rs 36.5 crore from the domestic box office as opposed to Rs 48 crore of Kabali”.

Kabali’s Hindi version was released in almost 1,000 screens, fewer than Baahubali’s 1,500, but it could surpass the latter’s lifetime collection if the Rajini magic continues.

And those unlucky to get a ticket even in black were unfazed and hanged around to dance and make merry outside theatres and around multiplexes.