Fans pour in to watch Rajinikanth's 'Kaala' with drums despite heavy downpour
Rajini loyalists started streaming into theatres as early as 12 a.m, holding their special "fans only" tickets.
As the admirers celebrated the release of the much-awaited film by dancing to the beat of the drums, the skies too opened up to match the footsteps of Rajini lovers.
Rajini loyalists started streaming into one of the suburban multiplexes here as early as 12 a.m, holding their special "fans only" tickets with a poster of "Kaala' imprinted on them.
By 5 a.m, as many as 1,000 fans started thronging the multiplex.
Three police jeeps and a police van were stationed outside the venue for security reasons.
Mumbai rains tried to put a dampener on what could inarguably be called a festival, but failed to match the frenzy of ardent Thalaivar fans. Men were dressed in suits, blazers and traditional lungi, and the women draped in saris with 'gajra'-adorned hair.
"Rajini sir is not a star, he is our God. He is a culture in himself. I inherited my love for him from my parents. They will be proud of me," said a 20-year-old fan from the Tamil stronghold of Dharavi who arrived at midnight to catch the first show at 6 a.m. at the theatre with his friends.
Over 50 women, dressed in traditional south Indian yellow sari, walked from a temple to the theatre to show their devotion for the actor.
Fans, with Rajinikanth's portrait painted on their chests and some even replicating his 'Kaala' look - black shirt, black lungi and a white beard - gathered near the 67 feet poster of the actor, which was garlanded, signalling the beginning of the day and the film's first show.
"The poster is 67 feet because Rajini is 67 years old. We were coordinating over this since months and the auspicious day is finally here. We have prayed for him, danced for him, now we, will cheer for him," Santosh, a member of Rajini fan club, said.
When pointed out that the collection of his last few films have not matched to the stardom the actor enjoys, the fan replied, "Can anything ever hurt God? Nothing. His films are our blessings and we are here to take it."
Directed by Pa Ranjith, 'Kaala' features Rajinikanth as a powerful don living in the slums of Dharavi. The film also features Nana Patekar, Huma Qureshi and Anjali Patil.
Rajinikanth's 'Kaala' tells the story of a slumlord in Mumbai's Dharavi slum who fights for the rights of oppressed Tamils and takes on a politician. The film's timing couldn't have been better with the superstar having recently made his official entry into politics in real-life.
Directed by Pa Ranjith, this is the second time the filmmaker is collaborating with Rajinikanth after 'Kabali'. Even before the release of 'Kaala', reports of a third film by the duo have already started doing the rounds.
Reportedly, Ranjith initially wanted to make a sequel to 'Kabali', but changed his mind after speaking to the Tamil superstar, and ended up making 'Kaala' instead.
Produced by Rajinikanth's son-in-law Dhanush under his banner 'Wunderbar Films', the film has an enviable supporting cast in Nana Patekar, Pankaj Tripathi, Anjali Patil, Huma Qureshi and Easwari Rao.
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