The two states are in the grip of a Baahubali craze, the likes of which have perhaps not been seen before. From crushing crowds at ticket counters to a thriving black market of tickets, it seems that the movie is well on its way to making cinematic history.
On the day of its official release today, here are some Baahubali factoids:
Dil Raju’s benefit shows
Producer Dil Raju, who bought the Nizam rights of Baahubali for Rs 24 crore, has allowed 13 benefit shows in the Nizam area for '10 lakh each. This means an earning of Rs 1.3 crore even before the film has released. According to a source, each ticket for the benefit shows cost Rs 2-3,000.
Money for AP capital fund
Krishna district producer Korrapati Sai, who bought the rights of the film for the district, is organising 30 benefit shows. In a press release, he mentioned that he wanted to donate the money to the Andhra Pradesh capital fund. All the benefit shows were screened in the early hours of Friday, before the first official screenings in the morning. This way, regular moviegoers would not get any prior insight about the film.
Missing Anushka
Many of her fans are disappointed with the news that Anushka will hardly be seen in part one of Baahubali. The makers have announced that Anushka’s role is very small in the first part, while Tamannaah’s is big. But her fans will get full paisa vasool in part two, where Anushka will have a proper role.
Celebs at Imax?
The Imax (large) screen at Prasad Multiplex has been taken over by distributors for the first day’s morning show. Many city celebrities are apparently going to watch the film. Tickets for the morning 8.45 show are not available to the public as the theatre is completely booked by the distributors.
No other film except Baahubali
If you have tried to book your tickets online, you would have noticed that there’s no other film except Baahubali being screened on Friday. It seems that it is the only film being screened in most of the theatres in the major cities of AP and Telangana. Multiplexes are screening only Baahubali throughout the day.
In Vizag, some fans attacked the Srikanya and Urvashi theatres for not screening Baahubali.
Lucky July
All of Rajamouli’s big hits, like Simhadri, Magadheera, Eega and Maryada Ramanna had released in July. No wonder that the director chose this month for Baahubali.
At Bhimavaram, horses are ready
Bhimavaram wears a festive look
Actor Prabhas’ hometown, Bhimavaram, is wearing a festive look. His fans are planning to take out a rally including elephants, horses and motorbikes. Sources say that the demand for tickets are sky high here and fans are willing to pay as much as Rs 10,000 for a ticket.
