‘Kabali mania’ is at its peak now with the release date nearby. In what could be probably a first, several companies in Chennai and Bengaluru have declared holidays on July 22, the day Superstar Rajinikanth’s Kabali is releasing. Companies that have issued notices to that effect include Bangalore-based Opus Waterproofing and Chennai-based Fyndus India Pvt Ltd. Not only this, many companies have even booked tickets for their employees.

Suresh Sambandam, founder CEO of software platform company Orangescape, is planning to watch the 6 AM show with his 100-odd employees. Asked if this was a motivational strategy to pep up his staff, Sambandam says his staff have been working real hard and everyone needs a break. “But more than just motivation, we want to celebrate as Rajni fans and this might probably earn me the cool boss tag.”

Opus’ official notice says, the holiday is declared to “avoid sick leaves, mobile switch-offs and mass bunks”.

Manoj Pushparaj, head of operations for the firm, says this was done to motivate employees. The start-up is also arranging tickets for all 48 staff in a partnership with PVR cinemas”.

 

In an attempt to deal with Kabali frenzy, Fyndus, a data management start-up from Chennai, has also declared a holiday. The company confirmed that a holiday was declared by vice-president, India Operations, Vinoth Sudaroli.

Not only this, Fox Star India employees are all soaked up in the Kabali mania and can be seen donning masks of Thalaiva.

So high is Kabali fever that few enthusiastic fans from Chennai have also gone as far as launching an online petition requesting the Tamil Nadu chief minister to declare an official holiday on the date of movie’s release.