South India companies give day off to staff to see Rajinikanth’s latest flick ‘Kabali’
TALK about superstar appeal and generous bosses! Tamil superstar Rajinikanth’s latest release ‘Kabali’ opened Friday, with some businesses in southern India giving their employees the day off on Friday so they can attend screenings of the iconic star’s latest movie.
According to one report in The Times of India, Bangalore-based start-up Opus said in an official notice that it was declaring July 22 a holiday to “avoid sick leaves, mobile switch- offs and mass bunks.” Another company in Chennai also declared a holiday since it didn’t want “a pile of leave applications,” according to an executive. In fact, some companies are even paying for group shows for employees.
The massive hysteria around Kabali reflects the 65-year- old actor’s enduring appeal since the 1970s when he first burst upon the scene. Rajnikanth’s following extends beyond his massive regional south Indian fanbase, and his credits also include projects in mainstream Hindi-language Bollywood.
His filmography includes major box- office hits, such as 2010 title ‘ Enthiran’, a sci-fi film that saw him play an android, which is estimated to have grossed US$ 26.7 million (1.79 billion rupees).
Known for his unique onscreen swagger and dialogue delivery, Rajnikanth has crafted his own distinct style over the decades. In Kabali, he plays the titular character of an ageing gangster who protects his family and business from his enemies. Directed by Pa. Ranjith, the film’s action-packed trailer has received over 26 million views on YouTube since it went live in April after it garnered five million views on its first day alone.
The cult adulation surrounding Rajnikanth was recently captured in a documentary entitled ‘For the Love of a Man’, directed by Rinku Kalsy, which follows some of his fans who share why they are obsessed with the star. “The film remains an entertaining, sometimes jaw- dropping, intro to the extremes of actor-worship,”
Another company in Chennai also declared a holiday since it didn’t want “a pile of leave applications.” In fact, some companies are even paying for group shows for employees.
of THR said in its review during the 2015 Venice festival where the film screened.
‘ Kabali’ will also get a wide release overseas to cater to diaspora audiences in the US, UK, Australia and other territories such as Malaysia, where it was largely filmed.