Coolie mania: Rs 4,500 for first show, fans cross states to watch early screening
Prabakar, an ardent fan of Rajinikanth, who wanted to buy tickets for the first show, told India Today Digital, "I have tried my luck at all the popular theatres in Chennai. They are all priced at Rs 600, Rs 1,000, with the highest being Rs 4,500. I am not able to book tickets through the ticketing apps for the first show, as they are either blocked or sold out. Fans like me have no other choice but to buy the tickets in black or wait till the first shows are over to watch the film by paying government-authorised rates."
For fans who have lived in Tamil Nadu or any state in the South, this might not come as a shock. But, for those who are unaware of the craze for a Rajinikanth film, this is the norm in the state that houses him. Not just Tamil Nadu, the ticket rates have soared high even for dubbed versions of 'Coolie'.
'Coolie' is releasing in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in Tamil and Telugu. Fans are patiently waiting for the government orders for the film, so they can plan the celebrations accordingly. The two states allow early morning shows, with increased ticket prices.Aravind, an IT employee and a Chennai resident, said, "It's a working day, and we are a bunch of Rajinikanth fans who catch the FDFS no matter what. We're planning to drive to Nagari in Andhra Pradesh, as it is just a few hours away from Chennai to watch the show and celebrate Thalaivar. We could drive down and go to the office as well. We're just waiting for the booking to open."advertisementBefore 2023, the Tamil Nadu government allowed selected theatres across the state to hold early morning shows (1 am, 4 am and 5 am). However, in 2023, during the 'Thunivu' vs 'Varisu' clash, a fan died outside Rohini theatre in Chennai during the celebrations. Thereafter, the TN government denied permission for the early morning shows. Hence, fans have resorted to travelling to the neighbouring states to watch the film.These morning shows are usually preceded by celebrations where fans will burst crackers, dance till they drop and celebrate the arrival of their favourite star's film. Not just outside the theatres, it is a celebration inside the theatres too. Theatres turn into concert halls with enthusiastic fans dancing and enjoying the occasion together. Fans throw confetti in the air, scream and cheer for their favourite actors. Every release, especially for actors Rajinikanth, Vijay, Ajith Kumar and Kamal Haasan, is a carnival in itself.From planning in-house celebrations to travelling to another state to watch the early shows, fans leave no stone unturned to hype up the actors, who enjoy a demi-God status among them. For 'Coolie', which has an ensemble cast representing each film industry, the craze seems to be skyrocketing with each passing day.advertisementKerala and Karnataka will host 6 am shows for 'Coolie' and the pre-sales have hit the roof. With fans running and pushing each other to secure tickets, the 'Coolie' mania is taking over the audience. While Mumbai has 5 am shows, Tamil Nadu shows will begin only at 9 am.In single screens, tickets are being sold for as high as Rs 2,000 in Bengaluru. Tickets in Bengaluru are priced at Rs 500 in multiplexes, while 'Coolie' ticket prices range between Rs 250 to Rs 500 in Mumbai theatres. At the time of publishing this story, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana theatres hadn't opened the booking as they were awaiting government orders.
Looking at the obsession with watching the first-day first-show of 'Coolie', the Rajinikanth-starrer is likely to cross Rs 150 crore on Day 1, according to trade experts. If there was one man, at 74, who is capable of sending fans into a frenzy with every release of his, it is the one and only Rajinikanth - The Superstar of Indian cinema. Thalaivar for a reason!- EndsMust Watch
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