Its release has sent Chennai cops into a tizzy. What with riot-like situations taking place in front of Chennai cinema halls screening the much awaited Kamal Hasaan magnum opus. But Dasavathaaram fever seems to have gripped Kolkata too. “The response has been phenomenal. The weekend shows went house full and even the Monday shows had a healthy attendance,” claims Srijita Chatterejee of Inox Kolkata.

The Tamil blockbuster, which is already breaking records all over the country, was released simultaneously in Kolkata this Friday. “It’s quite unusual for a Tamil film to get a simultaneous release in Kolkata. Last year, Rajanikanth’s Sivaji, which received an overwhelming response too,” claims Chatterjee.

The film, in which the South superstar has played ten different characters, is also acknowledged as the costliest Indian film ever— its budget is a whopping Rs.1.3 billion.

In Kolkata, it has managed to draw huge crowds, mostly comprising members of the South Indian community of the city. “Though it is difficult to speculate, it would be safe to state that the crowds comprised mostly South Indians,” said a spokesperson from Fame Multiplex, which also saw “100 per cent occupancy” for all Dasavathaaram shows.

City Multiplexes did a bit of innovative publicity too. “ We called up all major South Indian clubs of the city and informed them about the release. That proved to be quite beneficial, as a large number of the members turned up for the screenings,” informs Chatterjee.