THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Alarms were set for a different reason on Friday. 6 am in the morning and Aries Plex theatre in the city is a beehive of activity. Buzzing with Baahubali frenzy there is a considerable crowd inside and outside, controlled by a handful of cops. Some started thronging the premises as early as 5 am in hope of getting tickets, “there are always last minute cancellations,” one of them reasons in front of digital display boards flashing ‘houseful’.
There is a long queue in front of Audi 1, India’s biggest screen and it takes some time for all to get inside. “We are from Kayamkulam and we stayed the night at my friend’s place. We booked the tickets the moment they opened online booking,” says Hari and friends.
The film starts nearly 15 minutes late and each name on the screen creates brief bouts of revelry. As Amarendra Baahubali makes his grand entry the whole theatre erupts into a euphoric cheer.
A genuine crowd-puller by all means, the film clocking 197-minutes concludes around 9.30 and a happy mob flows out humming Saahore Baahubali. “We are definitely coming back for a second time. The visuals and war sequences are too good that we can’t wait to see this again. But I guess it won’t be easy getting tickets in the next couple of weeks,” says Munna, a techie.
The fairytale terrain of Mahishmati and it’s valorous prince are getting an equally fabulous reception at other screens in the city as well. “We couldn’t wait for the mystery to unravel and I must say the second part makes a fitting finale,” says Pradeep who watched the film at Kairali, also packed to capacity.
Almost all FDFS audience agree that the long wait was worth as Rajamouli’s multi-million spectacle is sheer perfection in some aspects. “In the beginning it was all about finding why Kattappa thrust a sword at Baahubali. But after watching the film the suspense is just one of the elements that make the film a must watch. There is much more drama and extravaganza to give you goosebumps,” says Parvathy who watched the matinee at Kalabhavan.