Pirates steal 2.0's visual spectacle

It is common knowledge that Superstar Rajinikanth’s films are celebrated like festivals in India. His much awaited science fiction epic 2.O, in showman of Tamil cinema Shankar’s directing featuring Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson with AR Rahman composing the music, proved no different.

Rajini who is very selective when it comes to tweeting used his social media handle to tweet about 2.O’s release - “Three cheers to team #2.O.... The magnificent day has arrived!!”

In an earlier interview Rajini has said, “Mark my words, 2.O will be a super duper hit.”

The advance booking of the film had already broken quite a few records despite 2.O’s release being on a Thursday, the star’s favourite day, but which is not a holiday. Tickets were sold out in Tamil Nadu for at least the first four days. Rajini himself told a television channel that the movie was “a pride of Indian cinema”.
The first show of the movie started as early as  4 am in several cities with some theatres running housefull. The film may have hit the screens without a touch of political controversy, but it was caught up with the old problem confronting the Tamil film industry in particular —piracy. Within hours of its release in theatres, the notorious pirates of TamilRockers released the movie on online portals.

This is despite the fact that ahead of the film’s release on Thursday, the Madras High Court had directed 37 Internet service providers (ISPs) to block over 12,000 websites that exhibit pirated versions of Tamil movies, including more than 2,000 websites operated by TamilRockers, while allowing a plea moved by the movie’s producer, Lyca Productions.

The production house has requested people to ‘help Tamil cinema shine’ and watch the film in the theatres. “Hardwork of 4 yrs, crores of money, efforts of 1000s of technicians - all to give you a visual spectacle you can watch, love and enjoy in THEATRES! Do not spoil the experience. SAY NO TO PIRACY! Send all pirated links to antipiracy@ aiplex.com & help Tamil cinema shine!” read the latest tweet of Lyca Productions.

Dhanush, Rajini’s son-in-law, also requested the fans and audience to watch 2.O only in theatres. “2.O is ORIGINAL.. on par with any Hollywood film. MINDBLOWING. Thalaivaaa !! THE ONLY ONE.mesmerised. @shankarshanmugh sir .. you are the pride of Tamil/Indian cinema. Congrats 2 d entire team. Don’t make d mistake of watching this visual marvel anywhere apart from theatres.”

Indeed, at an estimated Rs 570 crore, this is one of the most expensive Indian films made to date.  The producers had spent enormously on graphics and VFX for the visual effects of the 3D movie that hit an estimated 10,000 screens worldwide, breaking Baahubali records. Lyca may have reportedly earned returns already of up to 80 per cent by way of selling worldwide theatrical and TV rights, which is also a record in terms of pre-release business.  Even so, how the movie fares at the box office would determine whether it is another successful film for the Superstar.