"Kabali" had a mixed effect on share prices of select film-related companies listed on the stock exchanges on Friday, the day the Rajinikanth-starrer film was released worldwide at more than 4,500 screens simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
Eros International Media (up 6.08 percent at Rs. 234.80) rode on the "Kabali" box office success, but shares of PVR (down 2.57 percent to Rs. 1,064.20), Inox (down 1.74 percent to Rs. 248.20) and Balaji Telefilms (down 3.01 percent to Rs.91.75) could not encash the film's popularity even as the S&P BSE Sensex gained 93 points on what was flatteringly described as "Kabali Day".
Balaji Telefilms is the producer of "Great Grand Masti," which put up an average show at the box office, reckon trade analysts, in the context of Salman Khan's "Sultan" released a week earlier, on July 5. Eros also minted money at the box office, with its "Housefull 3" earning Rs. 100 crore (about $15 million) in its opening weekend, according to a regulatory filing by the company to the BSE.
"Kabali" sent cash registers ringing even at its select screening overseas, not to talk of its box office collection on its opening day.
"Kabali" collected $2 million from its premiere shows in North America (U.S. and Canada), according to distribution company CineGalaxy Inc. The multi-lingual blockbuster was released in over 400 screens in the two countries.
"It is easily the best opening for an Indian film from premiere shows in North America. The film has collected $2 million from the premiere shows and it includes both the Tamil and Telugu version of 'Kabali'," Sanjay Dusari, the Co-Founder of CineGalaxy Inc, told IANS.
It's Rajini and his popularity among fans that is driving box office collections. "To collect $2 million from premieres is no easy feat and it was possible because of the excellent pre-release buzz and Rajinikanth's association with the project," trade analyst Trinath told the news agency.
Another trade analyst Taran Adarsh also spoke about "Kabali" doing roaring business in its premiere screening.
#Kabali [Tamil+Telugu] sets new benchmarks in preview shows in USA-Canada... Takes an EPIC start on Thu: $ 1,925,379 [₹ 12.93 cr]. SUPERBBB!
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) July 22, 2016
Film sources estimate the opening day box office collection of "Kabali" at over Rs. 40 crore, placing it ahead of other recent blockbusters, whether in Hindi or regional languages.
The film has turned out to be a profitable project for the makers. "Kabali" has been made on a budget of Rs. 100 crore and has already earned about Rs. 225 crore from the sales of theatrical, audio, satellite rights and through various deals.
"Kabali," which also features Radhika Apte, Dhansika and John Vijay, has been directed by Pa. Ranjith and produced by Kalaipuli Thanu of V Creations, who has estimated the opening day collection at Rs. 100 crore.
Here are some interesting comments on "Kabali" trending on Twitter:
.@superstarrajini is larger than life. So are his cut-outs. @WayneDMello reports on #Kabali https://t.co/ENNshEPlVa pic.twitter.com/o6a0DX2yqS
— Anupama Chopra (@anupamachopra) July 23, 2016
There are two types of people on this planet: Those who hv watched #Kabali & those who hven't. Period.
— MRV (@MRVChennai) July 23, 2016
except for minuscule pigs #Kabali is huge hit in making. Superb performance by @superstarrajini and all others. Good narration by @beemji
— swamilion (@swamilion) July 23, 2016
