'Baahubali 2' welcomed with frenzy in Karnataka

The much-awaited "Baahubali 2: The Conclusion" today released in Karnataka with moviegoers enthusiastically paying up to Rs 1,600 for a ticket.

As much as 75 per cent of the screens available in the state are showing the SS Rajamouli-directed multi-lingual film. In Bengaluru alone, 72 out of the 94 single screen theatres are screening it, reflecting the frenzy the film has created, film trade circles said.

The film has been released in Telugu, Hindi and Tamil here.

Tickets priced between Rs 600 and Rs 1,600 are being sold like hot cakes on booking portals like PVR and BookMyShow.

Exhibitors too have shown preference to play "Baahubali 2" over other language films, including Hindi and Kannada.

"As much as 75 per cent of screens available in the State are playing 'Baahubali 2', and in Bengaluru alone, 72 of the 94 single-screens are screening the film," N R Sudheer of  Vasupradha Enterprises, which released the film on behalf of  the producers in Karnataka, told reporters here.

In Mysuru, as many as 40 screens out 45 are showing "Baahubali 2."

Almost all theatres in Bellary, which borders Andhra Pradesh, are playing the Prabhas-Sathyaraj film to packed houses, Sunil, an avid cine-goer said over phone.

The Kannada film fraternity, however, is pushing for the immediate implementation of a budgetary proposal to peg the ticket prices at Rs 200 in single screen theatres and multiplexes.

"The delay has only emboldened theatres and multiplexes to play "Baahubali 2", instead of releasing Kannada films. Some Kannada films were also replaced, to rake in good moolah, in an unfair manner," KFCC President Sa Ra Govindu said.      He is also pushing for refunding the excess amount charged for "Baahubali 2" and other films if the government implemented the proposal.

However, the film exhibition industry has been sceptical about the government's move to cap movie ticket prices at Rs 200.

There were demands from various stakeholders of the film  industry to the government, urging it to cap multiplex entry  fee at Rs 120 on the lines of neighbouring Tamil Nadu.    Earlier last week, Kannada outfits had threatened to stall the film's release protesting alleged controversial remarks made by actor Sathyaraj, who plays the role of Kattappa.

However, they withdrew the protest after the actor expressed regret over the comments made by him nine years ago during the Cauvery row.