'Kabali' Fever Hits Malaysia, T-Shirts Sell Like Hotcakes

By R. Ratcharathan KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- All die-hard fans of Tamil film star Rajinikanth are getting ready to give a huge welcome to the much-anticipated film 'Kabali'. Kabali fever has hit Malaysia. Not only posters on the movie are placed all over town but also two giant size cardboard figures of Rajinikanth, the main actor of the film, have also been placed at Federal Cinemax where the Premier Show will be screened. To add to the Kabali fever, two entrepreneurs have started selling Kabali T-shirts that feature Rajinikanth as Kabali, and the movie's hit song 'Nerupuda' hit the markets via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram several months ago in conjunction with the launching of the movie. Being a hardcore fan of the 65-year-old actor, entrepreneur Mugen Rao has sold a total of 450 white cotton T-shirts featuring the stylish Rajinikanth andthe movie's hit song 'Nerupuda', which means 'it's fire'. The 21-year-old actor-cum-singer said he wanted to create a brand for the Tamil film legend and dedicated the silkscreen printing T-shirt to the most awaited film of all time in 2016. "IPP Studios took a week to design the T-shirt. I took a week to gather orders, and one week to print the T-shirts in Melaka state before delivering to my customers," he told Bernama. Mugen said the orders for the US$6.16 (RM25) T-shirt also came from Rajinikanth fans in Singapore. In 'Kabali', Rajinikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao, plays the role of a don in Malaysia known as Kabaliswaran, from which the movie gets its name. This 159th movie of Rajinikanth first drew the attention of Malaysians, especially Malay movie fans, when prominent local actors like Rosyam Nor, Norman Hakim, Zack Taipan, Tony Kassim and popular Taiwan actor Winston Chao were offered roles in the movie. Malik Streams Production and Distribution will release the film in Malay for exclusive screening in Malaysia alongside the original Tamil version. Another entrepreneur, V. Selvie or fondly known as V-Sha, has sold about 50 Kabali T-Shirts for US$12.32 (RM50) each including postage through her online business V-Licious Shoppes. The former THR Raaga (a national radio station) announcer said: "It is interesting to see Malaysia has so many of Rajinikanth's fans and everyone, from all walks of life, are eagerly waiting to welcome Kabali release in this week." "Since I started to open orders like a month ago, many people are ecstatic to order and wear the T-Shirt, which was printed in several colours such as black, white and grey." Meanwhile, Project Manager for the movie, T.Veerasegar, said the premiere of the movie would be screened on Thursday at the Federal Cinema in Kuala Lumpur and the show, by invitation only, would be attended by Indian film actress Dhansika who plays the role of Rajinikanth's daughter in the film. "The movie will hit the cinemas on Friday (July 22) simultaneously worldwide and the tickets will be sold on that day. The first show will be screened on Thursday midnight," he said. Veerasegar, who is also the Manager for Malik Streams Corporation Sdn Bhd, said the premiere will be like 'Retro style' with 900 seats to be open. He revealed that the movie would be released in 480 cinemas throughout the country while adding that the Malay version of Kabali would be screened on July 29 with the premiere on July 28. Kabali will also premiere at the Le Grand Rex in Paris, France. --BERNAMA