Have you wondered aloud on social media for almost two years why Katappa killed Amarendra Baahubali? Well, your answer will hit the big screens this Friday.
Baahubali 2, The Conclusion, the sequel to the stupendously successful Baahubali-The Beginning, is being eagerly awaited by viewers across Jharkhand.
In Ranchi, fans of the epic fantasy directed by S.S. Rajamouli are making a beeline for advance bookings at Eylex and Fun Cinemas in Hinoo, Carnival Cinemas on Main Road and newly opened PVR Cinemas on Circular Road. With bookings crossing well over 60 per cent, viewers can see Telugu original and Hindi shows at Carnival Cinemas and Hindi shows only at all others.
In Jamshedpur, the craze seems more as screen options are fewer. All eight Friday shows at Eylex Fun n Films are already fully booked by groups. At Payal Cinema, Mango, all four Friday shows have been booked by individuals. All screenings will be of the Hindi version.
At Inox in Dhanbad, the Baahubali 2 frenzy is such that 80 per cent seats were booked in advance not just for Friday shows but Saturday too, in both Hindi and Telugu.
In all three cities, ticket prices are hovering around Rs 250 to Rs 300 for the best seats at plexes for the film, much lower than in metros. In Calcutta, a Baahubali 2 ticket at Inox (Insignia) in the upscale Quest Mall comes for Rs 1,000.
"I've never seen such a craze for a film in my entire career. To think our bookings started today (Wednesday) and tickets are on the higher side, priced at Rs 100 in the morning and around Rs 300 for prime time," said Ranchi-based Eylex director Anand Lohia, who added he would also catch the first day, first show of Baahubali 2 with his family. "The frenzy is at our properties everywhere, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Sambalpur, Asansol, you name it."
In Jamshedpur, Jusco executive Sukanya Das, who managed to get Saturday tickets for her big 15-member group of family and friends at Payal Cinema, said. "I am crazy about Prabhas, the hero. And lots of questions went unanswered in the first part, so I am really curious."
General manager of Payal Cinema C.L. Sharma agreed. "Curiosity about part one is bringing in viewers for the second. The film was treated so well that it left an impression," said Sharma.
Rotary Club of Dhanbad Central secretary Rahul Goyal said they were cashing in on the Baahubali 2 craze to raise funds for school water coolers and purifiers with a special screening at Inox on Saturday. "The cost of each ticket works out to around Rs 250 for us after mass booking discount while we will charge Rs 500 each. The difference will go to charity," he said.
What Jharkhand viewers will miss is viewing Baahubali 2 in 4K HD format. Close to 200 screens in India are being upgraded to 4K projectors before the movie releases, but not in the state.
Tell us what you loved or didn't in Baahubali 2 at ttkhand@abpmail.com
