Kabali

[MysteRy]

Madras HC’s interim order to curb Kabali online piracy

On July 15, Madras High Court has ordered 169 internet service providers to stop the illegal downloads of  Superstar Rajinikanth’s Kabali, which means major  piracy spreading websites will be blocked.

This interim order has been passed by Honorable Justice Kirubakaran on a writ petition filed by Kabali’s producer Kalaipuli S Thanu. Madras HC has also ordered that multi-system operators should ensure that Kabali should not be telecasted in Cable TV channels.

 In his writ petition, Thanu has clearly mentioned about how online piracy has affected the business of his two films—Theri and Kanithan and that’s why Madras HC has immediately passed the interim order. The case has been adjourned to August 8 for further proceedings.

[MysteRy]

Rajinikanth speaks Malay in Kabali

In a recent media interaction, director Ranjith has revealed that there are few Malay and Chinese dialogues for Rajinikanth in Kabali.  As Rajinikanth plays an aged gangster who settled in Malaysia, there are sequences where he has to converse with Malay villains and that’s where Ranjith has incorporated those dialogues.

Sources say that  Malay and Chinese dialogues of  Rajinikanth are sure to receive thunderous applause. If reports are to be believed, the film has right mix of emotional and action elements, which would satisfy both the masses and movie buffs alike.

Produced by Kalaipuli S Thanu, Kabali will be releasing in more than 3000 screens on July 22nd. Though advance bookings have commenced in several territories, final deal between Chengalpattu theater owners and Thanu is yet to be locked.

 It is worth mentioning that Thanu’s previous film Theri wasn’t screened in many theaters of Chengalpattu area as theater owners didn’t budge to the huge MG amount quoted by the producer.

[MysteRy]

Superstar prays at Lotus temple, Virginia!

Superstar Rajinikanth’s Kabali is all set for a massive release on July 22nd and his fans are getting ready for all the grand celebrations. But even now, few people are doubtful and raising too many questions on the health condition of the 65 year old actor who is yet to return from US.

But today (July 18), Rajinikanth’s elder daughter Aishwarya who is with him in United States has posted images of the actor from Lotus temple, Virginia. “Appa n I @ his guru Satchidananda's"Lotus all faiths temple" 30th anniversary  Yogaville Virginia #BlessedSunday”, wrote Aishwarya on Twitter. 

 It is said that Rajinikanth will be in Chennai before the theatrical release of Kabali and buzz is that he will land in the city on July 20th. Meanwhile, our sources also say that Rajinikanth will join the shoot of Shankar’s ‘2.o’ from next month.

[MysteRy]

Kabali: AGS and SPI bag Chennai and Chengalpattu territories

While Jazz cinemas is holding the entire Tamil Nadu theatrical rights of Superstar Rajinikanth’s Kabali, two leading multiplex brands-SPI Cinemas and AGS have bought the lucrative Chennai and Chengalpattu regions respectively. SPI Cinemas have opened the pre-booking for Kabali and within few minutes, all the tickets were sold out while the rest of the theaters in Chennai and Chengalpattu areas will open advance booking by today or tomorrow.

If sources are to be believed, single screens are planning to screen the film from 4AM and some of them are even trying for 1AM show. Though the paid premieres on Thursday evening (July 21) is still under discussion, the film’s producer Thanu is yet to confirm it.

For early morning shows, single screens are said to be charging around 300-500 RS and the same scenario exists even in the neighbouring Karnataka and Kerala states as well. Meanwhile in USA, the film will be released in more than 445 screens (Tamil and Telugu) and distributors predict that they will get more than 1 million USD from premieres.

 As per our trade sources, Kabali will surely set a new day one record for South Indian films!

[MysteRy]

Kabali Review

Director: Pa Ranjith
Cast: Rajinikanth, Radhika Apte, Dhanshika, Winston Chao

First things first, Kabali is way different from Rajinikanth’s usual mass entertainers we have grown up on.

When the superstar decided to move out of his comfort zone and team up with a talented young filmmaker Pa Ranjith, expectations had sky-rocketed. But ultimately Kabali is all about stylish making, swanky locations and an all new re-invented superstar who plays his age. But does all this satisfy millions of Superstar fans?

The film opens with a short back story on ‘Gang 43’ (spearheaded by Winston Chao, Kishore and ‘Mime’ Gopi) who are ruling the underworld in Malaysia. Their rival team is quite weak, as their leader Kabali (Rajinikanth) has been in jail for the past twenty five years. However, taking Kabali’s philanthropic activities and old age into account, the Malaysian government decides him to release from jail.

Right after a great introductory scene, Kabali knocks down each and every nail of ‘Gang 43’. Veera (Kishore) hires the Thailand snipper Yogi (Dhanshikaa), who happens to be the long lost daughter of Kabali! The rest of the film is all about how Kabali reunites with his wife Kumudhavalli (Radhika Apte) and demolishes Tony (Winsten Chao) and his underworld operations.

The first half though a bit slow, is extremely satisfying. Rajinikanth does not play much to the gallery and scores with subtle mannerisms and his natural swag. There are couple of clap worthy moments like the action scene where yogi saves her father and the reuniting scene of Kabali with wife Kumudhavalli. Kabali would have been a classic, if Ranjith had concentrated more on a coherent screenplay instead of narrating the story as a documentary. We don't feel much for characters like Kalaiarasan, Dinesh or Ritvika in the sub plots, which ultimately is irrelevant to the story.

Yes, performance wise Radhika Apte is brilliant and her pairing with Rajinikanth looks fresh and their chemistry has worked out well. ‘Attakathi’ Dinesh has a miniscule role and he scores with an unique body language. Dhanshika, John Vijay, Kishore and Ritvika and are all there but in insignificant roles. A major drawback of the film is the predictable climax, a weak villain and lack of good songs or comedy associated with all Rajinikanth films.

Rajinikanth puts up a performance like never before. He looks dapper in a well fitted suits in pastel shades and his styling is top class - A big thumbs up to designer Anu Vardhan. The actor even at this age carries the film on his shoulder. It is the strong screen presence and sheer aura of the man that keeps us rooting for the film.

Technically, Murali’s cinematography is top notch that he has shown Malaysia in a different angle. Santhosh Narayanan’s BGM elevates the film to a different level. Overall, Kabali is neither a Rajinikanth film nor a Ranjith film — it’s a mixed bag!

[MysteRy]

Rajinikanth's 'Kabali' mania grips Bengaluru too

South Indian superstar Rajinikant's latest blockbuster Kabali has gripped Bengaluru as no other movie ahead of its mega release on Friday in about 80 theatres and multiplexes here.

Though the Tamil magnum opus is dubbed in Hindi and Telugu but not in Kannada, the native language of the city and state, tickets were sold out for all shows till Sunday within 48 hours after advance booking opened on Monday.

As Rajinikath's frenzied fans are eager to watch the movie on first-day, first-show, hundreds of them, who didn't get the tickets till Sunday, flocked to cinema halls on Thursday but left disappointed as they were told to come on early Friday.

 "I have decided to go the theatre (Urvashi) on Friday at 6 a.m. to stand in the queue though ticket counters will open at 9 a.m. for seats in front rows at lower fares for the first show at 11 a.m.," Ravi Kiran, 19, a die-hard 'thalaivar Rajini' fan told IANS here.

Many fans have garlanded posters and banners carrying their matinee idol photo, with "Kabali da!" a catch-phrase from the movie, which means "I am Kabali".

 Rajinikant, 65, has close connection with Bengaluru, as he spent his early years in the city.

Born to Maharashtrian parents, Rajinikanth's original name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad. He worked as a bus conductor in the state-owned Bangalore Transport Service in the late 1960s and early 1970s when he began acting in plays.

 In 1973, he went to Chennai and joined the Madras Film Institute for a diploma in acting.

 Rajinikanth's elder brother Sathyanarayana Rao Gaekwad still lives in the same house where he stayed at Hanumanthnagar in the city's southern suburb.

According to neighbours, whenever Rajinikanth visits Bengaluru, he goes to the house to meet his brother and other family members. He also catches up with some of his old friends in the city. Plans to screen the mega film in a few five-star hotels in the city from Friday to Sunday were aborted after Bangalore Deputy Commissioner V. Shankar declined permission, as hotels do not come under the purview of the Karnataka Cinema (Regulation) Act.

 The Karnataka State Film Exhibitors' Association and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce had opposed the screening of the movie in star hotels as it was against the provisions of the Act.

"We had planned to screen the film at four star hotels - JW Marriot Lalit Ashok, Royal Orchid and Crown Plaza in the city, with tickets prized from Rs.1,300-1,500," said Lahari Velu, a distributor of the movie.

About 15,000 people booked tickets to watch the film in the star hotels, as tickets for the movie in theatres and multiplexes were unavailable.

 Taking cue from Chennai where some companies have declared holiday on Friday for their employees to watch the movie, a start-up firm in the city has given 'off' to all its 40 techies.

With regular holiday on Saturday and Sunday, many employees in IT and biotech firms applied for leave on Friday to watch "Kabali" on the first day itself.

 In a related development, the state-run postal department has decided to release a special carrier cover to mark the special aircraft that will fly fans from here to Chennai on Friday to watch the movie.

 Budget carrier Air Asia has tied up with the Karnataka postal circle and Chennai postal region for the initiative to fly about 2,000 registered letters in the aircraft to Chennai along with fans.

"The carrier covers will bear the postmarks of the Bangalore and Chennai airport post offices and flown back on the return flights by evening," said general post office assistant superintendant Thimmoji Rao.

[MysteRy]

Kabali rewrites history: New record in Tamil Nadu

Forget negative reviews and mixed word of mouth, Superstar Rajinikanth’s Kabali has taken a humongous opening in Tamil Nadu. 

If trade sources are to be believed, the film has grossed 20-21cr (approx) in Tamil Nadu and thus outperformed Ajith’s Vedhalam, which grossed 16.5 cr in the state.

We also hear that Kabali has also taken best ever day one opening for an Indian film and comfortably surpassed all Bollywood biggies. But the issue is already there is  a drop for Kabali in territories outside Tamil Nadu and trade experts say that things aren't encouraging for other state distributors in India.

[MysteRy]

Superstar Rajini’s statement on his health and 'Kabali' success

Today (July 26), Superstar Rajinikanth has issued a media statement about his recent US visit. 

“Due to the busy shooting schedules of Shankar’s magnum opus ‘2.o’ and Ranjith’s revolutionary yet emotional Kabali , both my mind and body needed a break and hence, went to US with my daughter Aishwarya”, said Rajinikanth in his statement. 

“I’ve taken enough rest and necessary medical checkup. I’m back in the country with good health and great excitement, thanks to all the positive reports which I heard in US and now witnessed myself here in Chennai”, added the actor.

Rajinikanth has also congratulated his good friend Kalaipuli S Thanu, producer of Kabali on the great success and also lauded director Ranjith’s team. The 65 year old actor thanked his fans, friends, media, theater owners and exhibitors for making Kabali a grand success.