The anticipation for superstar Rajinikanth's upcoming film Coolie has reached fever pitch but so have the ticket prices. In Chennai, the first-day, first-show (FDFS) tickets are being reportedly sold in the black market for as high as Rs 4,500, leaving many genuine fans shocked.
Advance bookings for Coolie have been nothing short of phenomenal, with theatres across Tamil Nadu, other parts of India, and even international markets witnessing an unprecedented rush. But the excitement has also opened the door for rampant black marketing, with several single-screen theatres and fan clubs allegedly selling tickets at exorbitant rates in violation of Tamil Nadu government rules.
According to a report in India Today, one popular theatre in Chennai has priced its coveted first-show tickets at a staggering Rs 4,500, while in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, a theatre staff member was caught on camera selling tickets for Rs 400, well above the permitted rates.
A die-hard Rajinikanth fan told the news portal, "I have tried my luck at all the popular theatres in Chennai. Tickets are priced at Rs 600, Rs 1,000, with the highest being Rs 4,500. I can’t book online for the first show as they’re either blocked or sold out. Fans like me have no other choice but to buy in black or wait until later shows at regular rates."
The frenzy isn't confined to Tamil Nadu. Ticket rates for dubbed versions of the film are also spiking in neighbouring states. The report further stated that Aravind, an IT employee from Chennai, revealed that he and his friends are planning to drive to Nagari in Andhra Pradesh just to secure seats for the FDFS. "It’s a working day, but we don’t mind. We’ll watch Coolie, celebrate Thalaivar, and head straight to work," he said.
Meanwhile, shows as early as 6 am have been announced in Kerala and Karnataka, while in Tamil Nadu, the first show has been scheduled for 9 am, due to the state government's rule.
With such overwhelming demand and sky-high rates, Coolie mania is proving once again that Rajinikanth’s star power can draw fans across borders - even if it means paying a small fortune for a ticket.
The excitement and anticipation is running high for Coolie, which is slated to hit the silver screens on August 14. As per reports, the film has already recovered more than 66 per cent of its budget even before it releases in theatres.
Coolie is made on a budget of Rs 375 crore, and according to a report in Pinkvilla, the makers have already earned Rs 250 crore from the sale of its international, digital, music, and satellite rights.
Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is a quintessential Rajini-style massy entertainer, and to take it a notch higher, it also stars Nagarjuna, Sathyaraj, Aamir Khan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir and Shruti Haasan in key roles.
