21 July,2016 02:30 PM IST | | Letty Mariam Abraham
With Rajinikanth's 'Kabali' hitting theatres tomorrow, we give you a glimpse of the fan frenzy surrounding the film in Mumbai
With the Thalaiva fever reaching a crescendo down South, could Mumbai be far behind? Rajinikanth fans are gearing up to welcome the superstar into theatres tomorrow with his new release, 'Kabali'. The first show in city theatres will begin as early as 6 am. The 74-year-old Aurora theatre in King's Circle, a Tamil bastion, has scheduled five shows a day with all tickets sold out already until Sunday. And mind you, it is a 700-seater property.
Also read: 'Kabali' craze! Here's how Rajinikanth fans have taken Mumbai by storm
Illustration/Uday Mohite
Nambi Rajan, theatre owner says, "We are houseful until Sunday. We are repainting the theatre, changing the lights, and preparing for a procession. Fans have parked themselves outside the theatre for the last two days. The first show of the movie will begin at 6 am. The initial plan was to begin as early as 3 am, but we didn't get the required permission. A court order in Bengaluru has instructed fans to not bathe Rajinikanth's cutouts in milk. I've asked fans to follow that in Mumbai too."
A mammoth Rajinikanth poster outside the Aurora theatre in King's Circle. Pic/Pradeep Divar
On the day of release, Maharashtra State Head Rajinikanth Fans Welfare Association will organise a 'rudra havan' at a temple early in the morning and a procession with Rajinikanth's massive cutout on a chariot pulled by horses will follow. They also plan to organise a blood and eye donation camp outside the Aurora theatre. Apparently, the 6 am show has been booked by a fan group whereas another fan club has bought all tickets for the 9 am show.
Also read: Thalaiva fever spreads! Rajini fans celebrate in Matunga ahead of 'Kabali' release
Down South, a Chennai-based online store is giving couple tickets to customers. That's not all, the management has decided to organise a Rajinikanth-themed costume party for all employees a day before its release.
Another Kerala-based finance company has introduced exclusive 'Kabali' silver coins featuring Rajinikanth. Offices in Chennai and Bengaluru have also gone to the extent of declaring July 22 (Friday) a holiday so that everyone gets to celebrate. An airline will also fly fans from Bengaluru to Chennai on the first day of the movie.
