Despite the mixed reviews amid unprecedented hype and anticipation, Tamil super-star Rajinikanth’s new release “Kabali” managed to belittle several Box Office records, collecting an estimated Rs40-70 crore ($6-10 million) on Day One.
Fans clung to theatre gates all night as the first show was screened at 4am. For the die-hard fans of Rajinikanth aka Rajini aka Thalaivar, the “first-day-first-show” is super sacred. As they wouldn’t settle for anything below that, ticket prices hit the sky.
“Kabali” that was released in multiple languages and several countries was a national sensation in India.
#Kabali@superstarrajini vs Paid Dumbs
? pic.twitter.com/3IkT4t5cL2— Racket Raja 😉 (@RacketOfficial) July 23, 2016
Quiz: The most impossible thing to get is (a) horn of unicorn (b) efficient garbage cleanup (c) acting from Katrina Kaif (d) Kabali tickets.
— Baradwaj Rangan (@baradwajrangan) July 18, 2016
The fever of #Kabali every where. The magic of @superstarrajini sir mesmerising !! pic.twitter.com/ZddYN084dj
— kaali Sudheer (@kaalisudheers) July 14, 2016
First show, first day ! #Kabali daa ?pic.twitter.com/xYQpRonVE2
— Theva Kumaran (@Thevaofficial) July 21, 2016
According to Economic Times, the estimation of first day collection was over Rs40 crore and suggested that the film will break the first weekend Box Office collection records. But a India Today reported that the movie set the Box Office collection on fire and the estimated first day collection was over Rs 70 crore.
On #Kabali Friday, 5 pictures that sum up Rajinikanth fever. Neruppu Da https://t.co/vgZBJvZcIK pic.twitter.com/g5WUBdALZg
— NDTV (@ndtv) July 22, 2016
Dancing.
Dholaks.
Worship.
Painted Planes.
Endless queues.
Holidays.
Partying.
More worship.#Kabali is officially India’s biggest festival.— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) July 22, 2016
Most awaited #kabali fanbration @superstarrajini @beemji @theVcreations pic.twitter.com/GMbIoSs8Pq
— Nikkil (@onlynikil) July 22, 2016
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.
It was reported that the film opened in 6,500 screens, of which over 3,500 screens were fully booked for the first day, while over 2,000 screens were booked for the entire weekend. Bookmyshow witnessed surge in the business and some of the multiplex websites crashed.
A friend bought #Kabali tickets forgetting he was to get married on the same day. Wants to know if someone is interested in getting married?
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) July 22, 2016
Meanwhile, history created in France with #Kabali being premiered at the 2,700 seater #GrandRex – A 1st 4 Indian pic.twitter.com/wwjba0DNiG
— Ramesh B (@rameshlaus) July 21, 2016
@superstarrajini at the special screening of #Kabali in USA. Dont watch movie in online or mobile. Watch in Theater pic.twitter.com/zoYZMYT8YH
— Kollywood Cinema (@KollywudCinema) July 21, 2016
Thalaivar cutout getting ready in #SanFrancisco Bay area for #Kabali FDFS celebrations.. pic.twitter.com/dWqP2ke1vT
— Ramesh B (@rameshlaus) July 21, 2016
Love to both… us fans make merry either ways @BeingSalmanKhan @superstarrajini ?? #Sultan #Kabali pic.twitter.com/TlvPoUe9BN
— Girish Johar (@girishjohar) July 20, 2016
“Kabali” has already broken the first day BO collection record set by Aamir Khan’s “PK” and the just-released Salman Khan’s “Sultan” in the US, which garnered close to $1 million and $784,194 respectively. BO collection of “Kabali” from the premiere show in the US points to a number close to $2 million.
#KabaliCreatesHistory
No 3 in #USA Box Office
Highest Pos Ever #Kabali @thinkmusicindia @theVcreations @beemji pic.twitter.com/iB04DAzr4a— Rajinikanth FansClub (@Rajni_FC) July 23, 2016
#Kabali #KabaliDay #Kabalireview #KabaliBBWishesByTHALAFans #Rajanikant #Thalaivaaaaa pic.twitter.com/ZUazqMVNnm
— I J (@OfficialInderJ) July 23, 2016
Download Happie – https://t.co/axZOMLWqwz for #desi #jokes #memes #trolls #india #Rajinikanth #fun #funny #hahaha pic.twitter.com/8SYcLhEqCH
— Happie (@gethappieapp) April 27, 2016
#Rajinikanth award goes to Oscars for #Kabali
— Ravinder Dahiya (@RavinderDahiyaa) July 20, 2016
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