Massive opening for Kabali in Kerala despite mixed reviews

The much-anticipated Rajinikanth-starrer Kabali, which hit the screens on 22 July, opened to a terrific response at the Kerala Box Office.

The Thalaiva film released on a record number of 306 screens across Kerala,. Some places also recorded 100% occupancy at the 7am shows.

A whopping 88 Kabali Day 1 shows at Cochin multiplexes were sold out, making the Rajnikanth film the highest multiplex release in Cochin. The previous Cochin record was held by Nivin Pauly's super hit film, Action Hero Biju, which had 59 shows upon its release.

With these figures, Kabali is all set to emerge as the highest opener in Kerala Box Office history.

The reports for Kabali are mixed. While the film has been praised for Rajinikanth's performance and his mannerisms, it has failed to deliver in terms of story and entertainment.

Kabali was promoted as an out-and-out crowd-pleaser Rajinikanth-starrer. Unfortunately, directorial Pa Ranjith has failed to impress a large section of Thalaivaa fans (including this writer) by trying to stuff the plot with melodrama and too many flash-back sequences, which is rare in Rajinikanth films.