IIt has been nearly a month since any Malayalam film hit the marquee, creating quite a lull in city theatres. The usual release-day buzz was missing with the audience thinning out and a couple of theatres taking out ‘no show’ boards.
But Thursday saw large crowds thronging a spate of theatres as Vijay’s Bairavaa was received amidst much fanfare. “We reached Thiruvananthapuram at 5 am so that we could watch the first day first show,” says Eshwaran and friends from Nagarcoil.
A total of 11 screens in the city are showing the mass entertainer with Aries Plex alone having 24 shows on the opening day. “The first show started at 6 am and all the shows, in all the five screens, are full. There were bulk bookings from fan clubs and online reservations. As of today even the 11.30 pm show is full,” says Vipin, manager.
The ongoing rift between producers and exhibitors could keep many theatres from releasing the film, generating a mad rush at the city release centres. “The film has not been released in places like Kazhakoottam and Nedumangad. So the audience from outskirts are currently flowing to the city.
Then there is also the release-day crowd from various places who come to watch the film in the biggest screen in South India with double 4k projection,” adds Vipin.
Much to the annoyance of fans, there was a news doing rounds that the film may not be released in Kerala.
There was also an air of total confusion as the theatre list wasn’t finalised till Wednesday. “Usually pre-booking starts much in advance. But this time even on Tuesday it was not available.
Online reservation started on Wednesday afternoon and within an hour or two all tickets were sold out,” says Kannan, a Vijay fan. “Then another highlight this time is Keerthy, a Malayali actress playing the heroine,” adds his friend Robin.
But it’s not just hardcore Vijay fans who are queuing up in front of theatres, “We have been missing this frenzy for a while. I think after Puli Murugan, which was released three months back, no other film could whip up such a rage. We don’t belong to any fans association, but then today we are left with no other choice either,” says Akshay, a student.