Aarti performed as ‘Kabali’ hits Singapore cinemas

Rajinikanth’s fans performed aarti and put garlands on cutouts of the Indian superstar as his Tamil film “Kabali” opened here yesterday, with cinemas adding several additional shows.

Long queues formed outside the Rex Cinema where fans arranged a flower garland around a 4-meter tall cutout of Rajinikanth, who has returned to the silver screen after two years with the gangster-drama film predominantly shot in Malaysia.

Fans also celebrated the 65-year old actor’s return to the big screen by performing aarti in front of a smaller cutout at the Rex cinema to cheers and applause.

Bookings for the opening day of “Kabali” threatened to overload and slowdown the Cathay Complex’s online ticket system, prompting the operator to add extra sessions to the show, reported The Straits Times today.

Anticipating a large crowd, Rex Cinema had stepped up security.

Tickets were sold out at Rex’s 1,736-seat halls while Cathay screened the film across its five branches.

Both Rex and Cathay have priced Kabali “ticket” at SGD 18 per show, above the standard SGD 10 and SGD 15.

Directed by Pa Rajinth, “Kabali” also stars Taiwanese actor Winston Chao.