'Kabali' storm hits Mumbai

Mumbai, July 22 South Indian megastar Rajinikanth's latest release "Kabali" hit Mumbai with thousands of fans celebrating at the Aurora Theatre in King's Circle and other parts of Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai on Friday.

"The reaction to the film is ecstatic. The atmosphere inside the cinema hall is electrifying," grinned Nambi Rajan, the owner of Aurora Theatre, which created history by hosting six full-house shows of "Kabali" starting 6 a.m. today.

Due to fans' pressures, the theatre had applied for permission to screen the film at 3 a.m. on Friday, but it was turned down by the authorities.

"Patrons have been coming dressed in all their finery, a majority sporting Rajini tee-shirts. One even came in the actor's trademark three-piece suit. A Rajini Fans Club had organised complimentary food packets for the patrons during the 9 a.m. show today," Rajan told IANS.

The day started early -- at 4 a.m. for many -- with a customary visit to the nearby Sri Shankara Mathham and offering of pooja.

Thereafter, the festivities started for the inaugural show with a huge procession, beating of drums, singing and dancing by fans up to the theatre for the much-coveted "first day, first show" by any filmgoer.

At the theatre entrance, two 60-feet-tall (almost as high as a seven-storeyed building) gigantic cut-outs of Rajinikanth looked benignly at the fans who bowed, prostrated and prayed before them (the cut-outs) -- some even broke coconuts, poured coconut milk and water.

Then the jostling crowd started to quickly enter the dark cinema hall where enlightenment awaited in the form of "Kabali"!