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AN Indian film is proving so popular in Bahrain that it is the only movie being shown at two theatres and tickets are selling on the black market.
Sivaji – The Boss stars Rajinikanth, one of the highest paid actors in India, along with Vivek, Suman and Shreya. The Tamil movie was first released at Al Hamra Cinema on June 15, but proved so popular that screenings started at Awal Cinema, said Bahrain Cinema Company marketing and public relations head Sunil Balan.
All four shows in each theatre saw 100 per cent occupancy, with almost 90 per cent of seats booked on Wednesday.
“This movie has made a historic mark in Bahrain because it is the first time that more than one theatre is showing only one movie over and over,” said Mr Balan.
“Previously, a movie would be shown at Al Hamra and Awal on the same days, but not for all the shows.
“This is also the first time we have experienced 100 per cent occupancy in our theatres for any movie just an hour after the release.
“The seats for all the shows at both theatres are 90 per cent booked already for this week – a record.
“We have never experienced anything like this before and our decision seems right.”
Mr Balan added the movie was expected to run in Bahrain for at least a month and nearly 5,000 people saw it June 15 alone.
He admitted hearing that tickets for the movie were being sold on the black market, but wouldn’t comment further.
“I’ve heard that tickets for the movie are being sold on the black market,” he said.
“We don’t want it to happen and are thinking of putting a check on it.”
Some of the biggest icons of the Indian film industry came together for the movie, including director Shankar, music director A R Rahman and AVM Productions.
In the movie, which runs for three hours and six minutes, Rajinikanth plays Sivaji, the one-man demolition squad against black money.
It is the most expensive film ever made in the history of Indian cinema, costing Rs950 million (BD9 million), and was released at an estimated 900 screens worldwide.
Rajnikanth raked in Rs16 crore (BD1.49 million) for Sivaji – thereby breaking his own record by Rs6 crore what he got for his last film Chandramukhi.
