VIJAYAWADA: With less than 24 hours left for the release of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, the film is creating quite a buzz across the state with almost 95 per cent of theatres screening the movie during the
weekend.
Amidst much fanfare, hiked ticket fares and fan-wars, the film is all set to hit screens at 5.30 am on Friday.
Unless you are a member of the Prabhas Fans Association or have influential friends, there’s a good chance you’ll have to wait for another week to watch the much-awaited movie. Despite the Andhra Pradesh government having allowed six shows per day per theatre, tickets have already been blocked/sold out till Wednesday in most of the state’s theatres.
Within a few minutes of the advance online booking facility being initiated in Vijayawada on Wednesday, tickets were sold out for the next five days.
Film buffs who want to watch the movie in the first 10 days after its release on Friday have to cough up Rs 25 to Rs 50 more than the regular ticket price. Tickets priced at Rs 150 and Rs 200 in multiplex
theatres in cities like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, Tirupati and Kakinada will now cost Rs 200 and Rs 250 respectively. Similarly, Rs 75 and Rs 100 tickets in single screen theatres have been fixed at Rs 100 and Rs 150 respectively.
Around 90 shows will be screened on the movie’s first day in theatres of the city.
Meanwhile, movie lovers from northern Andhra districts have expressed displeasure over the district administration’s decision to not allow booking of tickets across cinema counters. Cautious after
stampedes that took place during the screening of Baahubali: The Beginning, authorities have decided to allow only online booking of tickets. However, theatres which are not registered with online booking websites have been exempted from the condition.
In West Godavari, police are anticipating fan wars between associations supporting Prabhas and Power Star Pawan Kalyan. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC and Section 30 of the AP Police Act have been imposed in Bhimavaram and other major towns restricting the movement of people in groups, in view of the movie’s release on Friday. It may be recalled that on March 9, 2015, there was a clash between fans of Prabhas and Pawan Kalyan after the flexi banner of the latter was found torn. Blaming Prabhas’ fans, Power Star’s supporters attacked them leading to clashes. Police then imposed prohibitory orders to bring the situation under control. Officials have convened a meeting of the fans associations and counselled them against any violence.