'Baahubali' released in 80 theatres in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: The multilingual film "Baahubali" was Friday released in over 80 cinemas in Kerala amidst a close down by a section of theatres over the piracy issue of Malayalm hit film "Premam".

Industry sources said the movie, helmed by filmmaker S S Rajamouli, received a good response in all the theatres where it was released.

G Suresh Kumar, president of Kerala Film Producers' Assocation, said the movie was released in all theatres as scheduled, except those in Malabar (North Kerala) region.

"The movie was released in 84 theatres so far on the opening day. The number of cinemas may cross 100 after the second show," he told PTI.

Though some theatres in North Kerala withdrew from the screening "Baahubali" following the decision of the State Film Exhbitors's Federation, the apex body of 'A' class theatres in the state, some others in Perunthalmanna, Palakkad and Kozhikode screened the magnum opus.

He also alleged that the Federation's decision to shut down the cinemas's under its umbrella was to thwart the recent directive by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for wide release of movies.

The Federation had decided to shut down the theatres under its banner for protesting the alleged non-action by the government in tackling increasing instances of piracy of movies.

Touted as one of the most expensive films made in the country with a reported budget of about Rs 200 crore, the period action drama starring Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Ramya Krishna, Anushka and Tamanna in lead roles released in 4,000 plus theatres worldwide.