Financiers turn villain for Kamal fans

Fans showed up early at theatres where giant cut-outs of Kamal Haasan announced the release of the much-anticipated film. The news of show cancellation came as a big shock to many. “We did not expect the show to be cancelled at the last minute. We came early to the multiplex at 6.30 am for the 7 am special show. But we were not allowed to enter even after a big crowd gathered there.

At around 7.15 am, multiplex officials announced cancellation of show to the big disappointment of Kamal’s fans,” said R. Sridhar who went to Mayajaal multiplex along with his friends. Mayajaal had scheduled a 7 am special show, the earliest screening of the movie in the city while other theatres had 7.15 am and 7.30 am shows. “It is all about watching the movie first. We had come all the way from Kolathur to OMR to watch the movie but were dejected by the cancellation of the movie,” complains a die-hard Kamal Haasan fan S. Prabhu.

With news of the morning show’s cancellation getting around to viewers only when they reached the venue, there were huge crowds gathered outside all the theatres. All theatres offered refund for the tickets sold through the counter while those who bought it online will get repaid automatically in their accounts. Some theatres also screened another new release, Vai Raja Vai, or other running movies for those who simply wanted to watch a film.

“We have offered refunds for the morning show. But we also screened Vai Raja Vai for those who just want to watch a film. Many people preferred to watch a movie than return home disappointed,” said Rakesh Gowthaman, owner of Vettri Theatres in Chromepet. All theatres cancelled special, noon, matinee and evening shows as talks between the movie producer Thirrupathi Brothers and the financier were still dragging on.