SS Rajamouli's 'Baahubali' gets a delayed release in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: "Baahubali" was today 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

Krishnan, Anushka and Tamanna in lead roles released in 4,000

plus theatres worldwide