 "Kabali fans on AirAsia flight to Chennai fume over change in venue")
Nearly 160 fans of actor Rajinikanth, travelling on AirAsia’s special flight from Bengaluru to Chennai to catch the first show of Kabali, were disappointed as the airline changed the venue at the last minute.
After the special flight landed in Chennai this morning, customers were taken to Prasad Studio in Vadapalani area of the city. The travelers had not been informed about the change in venue.
As part of the package, flyers paid Rs 8,000, which included airfare from Bengaluru to Chennai, first show at Satyam theatre, and meals, among others.
"We don’t want to watch a movie in this place. We came here to experience the movie and watching Rajini movie in Chennai is an excitement. That is why we spent so much," said K Indumathi, a trainer from Bengaluru. Despite having tickets from the actor’s fans’ club, Indumathi chose to come here as watching it with the fans’ club was not on her agenda.
“(The experience in) this place (Prasad Studio) is like a watching it in a house with CD, says K Madhu from Bengaluru. We wanted to watch it with the local crowd, he adds.
Meanwhile, AirAsia officials are talking to the people and trying to patch up with them. The airline is said to have arranged a show at Satyam theatre for 12.30 pm. However, the first promise of watching it first day, first show remains false.
"The flight from Bengaluru landed in Chennai at 7 am. The show was supposed to start at Satyam cinemas at 9 am. However, late last night, around 1 am, the production house informed us that the first show at Satyam Cinemas will be held at 12 pm. So, they arranged the 9 am show at Prasad Studio. It is our fault that we did not inform the passengers and I take full responsibility for this unfortunate turn of events. We started the day with a smile, will watch the movie with a smile," said Amar Abrol, CEO, AirAsia India.
On queries of passengers missing flights keeping in mind the early morning movie schedule, he added that passengers will be given full compensation of the airfare.
Meanwhile, the producers of the film have another headache to deal with as reports have emerged, indicating that the movie has been leaked online, hours after its scheduled release.
Meanwhile, the producers of the film have another headache to deal with as reports have emerged, indicating that the movie has been leaked online, hours after its scheduled release.
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| Fan comes barefoot to watch her 'God' Shivpriya Harlalka, 42, was heartbroken when she learnt that she would be missing the first day, first show of her “God's” (Rajini's) movie Kabali. For last five years, she claimed to have never missed the first show of any Rajini movie. |
Harlalka was not wearing any footwear. “I am going to see my god (Rajini) at the temple (Chennai). So, I was not wearing footwear," she says, even as she refused to step into the preview theatre, Prasad Studio. For her, Rajini is a spiritual guru and all his dialogues have meanings.