Kabali’s release woes are at an end. The film, directed by Pa Ranjith, is scheduled to release worldwide on July 22. Earlier this week, there were reports of a tussle between the film’s producer S Thanu and the exhibitors in the Chengalpattu area. Now we hear that an amicable solution has been reached. Kasi Theatre in Ashok Nagar, and Vettri Theatres in Chromepet have signed deals with the film’s Chengalpet area distributor AGS Cinemas to screen Kabali. Rakesh Gowthaman, the proprietor of Vettri, confirmed the news on his Twitter Account:
Signed up #Kabali with #ags@theVcreations. Counter bookings will start tomorrow 1pm. Tickets will be avl only from matinee show for 22nd.
— Rakesh Gowthaman (@VettriTheatres) July 19, 2016
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Kasi Theatre in Chennai, known for being a popular choice among fans for ‘First Day First Shows’, has closed advanced bookings for the Friday show. “At this point, we are only selling tickets for the 23 July shows. The weekend shows will be sold out in a matter of minutes,” the manager of the establishment told Silverscreen.
The bookings in the Chengalpet areas opened relatively late for Kabali. Usually in the case of big-budget star vehicles, advance bookings open a week before the release. Sources say that negotiations between the Chengalpet Exhibitors (whose theatres contribute nearly one-third of the total box office gross of a Tamil movie, and is home to five of the top ten theatres in the state) and the Distributor (AGS Cinemas) are the reason bookings opened so late.
Producer S Thanu, speaking to Silverscreen, vehemently denied these allegations. “As far as V Creations is concerned, the distribution rights to the film were sold to respectable, solid people. What happens after that is beyond our control.”
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For diehard Rajini fans, many single screen theatres in the City have already begun selling tickets for ‘special shows’ — early morning shows that begin as early as 4 a.m. Reports of exorbitantly priced tickets have also begun doing the rounds. A Chennai resident, Devarajan even filed a writ petition with the Madras HC, asking the court to intervene in the issue. In Tamil Nadu, ticket prices are regulated by the Government, and can cost anywhere in between Rs. 10 to Rs. 120. The Court, however, quashed the case.
Starring Rajinikanth and Radhika Apte among others, the film has music by Santhosh Narayanan. Kabali has also been given entertainment tax exemption — which will surely boost its profitability. It has already fetched its producers over Rs. 220 Crores, through the sale of movie rights and brand partnerships. Made on a budget of around Rs 110 Crores, the film will make history as the first Indian film to release in Malay. It’s Tamil version and other dubbed versions will be available on over 4,000 screens.