<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53319032.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
 
With just one day for superstar <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=rajnikanth&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Rajnikanth’</a>s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Four-offers-that-prove-that-Rajnikanths-Kabali-fever-has-spread-all-over-India/articleshow/53304213.cms">Kabali </a>to release, excitement and expectations are at an all-time high. 
 Fans are paying tributes with <keyword id="283584" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kabali">Kabali</keyword> style car plates, theatres have sold out tickets and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Kabali-fever-These-companies-just-gave-their-employees-a-day-off-to-watch-Rajnikanths-new-movie/articleshow/53300870.cms">companies are offering a holiday so that their employees can watch Kabali in peace.</a> That is the power of <keyword id="16227" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rajnikanth">Rajnikanth</keyword>. 
 
And, to ensure that the excitement remains at an all-time high, the makers have now released a behind-the-scenes video about the making of the movie, which gives one a sneak-peek of what actually went down during the shooting of Kabali. 
 
In the film, Rajnikanth essays the role of a Malaysian don named Kabali, or rather Kabaleeshwaran. He plays both the younger and older versions of the character with aplomb. 
 The footage in the video is set to <keyword id="3504017" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neruppa-da">Neruppa Da</keyword>, the title song of the film, which has already become an anthem for Rajnikanth fans. In the video, Rajnikanth exudes charm and simplicity and can be seen in his salt and pepper look, interacting with director <keyword id="1163705" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pa-Ranjith">Pa Ranjith</keyword> and producer Kalaipuli S Thanu on the sets. 
 
It’s very easy to understand why this man has such a cult following after watching this behind-the-scenes video as it shows how the superstar enacts every scene and how he delivers his lines with ease. There is a certain style in everything he does in front of the camera. The transformation from Rajnikanth to Kabali is worth a watch. 
 
Watch the video while you wait for the first day first show- 
 
 
 
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E-fzJnpf-T4" width="560"></iframe>

WATCH: The making of
Kabali shows how Rajinikanth transforms into the Don like a boss

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53304245.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=kabali&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Kabali</a> may be a Tamil movie but the obsession with the movie or with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=rajnikanth&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Rajnikanth</a> is hardly restricted to geographical boundaries. It doesn’t matter which part of the country you’re living in, it’s safe to say that the <keyword id="3453547" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kabali-fever">Kabali fever</keyword> has caught on. 
 Tamil superstar <keyword id="16227" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajnikanth">Rajnikanth</keyword>’s latest movie, <keyword id="283584" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kabali">Kabali</keyword> is finally releasing on the big screen on July 22, and considering this is the 65-year old’s first film after KS Ravikumar’s Lingaa that realised in 2014, the excitement and expectations from the movie and the star are at an all time high. 
 
The weeks leading up to the release have been nothing short of a rollercoaster, with the Kabali fever continuing to spread in every different form. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Kabali-fever-These-companies-just-gave-their-employees-a-day-off-to-watch-Rajnikanths-new-movie/articleshow/53300870.cms">From companies giving their employees a day off on Friday to watch Kabali </a>to numerous fans already planning to fake sickness to catch the first day first show, people have shown that they will go to any lengths for their superstar. 
 
And, this craze is not just limited to fans. Brands, companies and even the government is doing all it can to cash in on the popularity of Rajnikanth and the excitement for Kabali. 
 
Business Insider lists five crazy offers that prove that the Kabali fever has spread all across the country: 
 
1. <keyword id="86568" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Air-Asia">Air Asia</keyword> has introduced ‘Rajni class’: 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53304327.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
 
Yep, it doesn’t get any bigger than this. It all started when <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=air+asia&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Air-Asia</a>, the low-cost carrier signed an agreement to become the airline partner for Kabali and then announced a special flight to Chennai from Bengaluru, in which they would fly a fan who wants to watch the film first day first show.This package, which costs Rs 7860 is inclusive of a flight ticket, amovie ticket, an audio CD, breakfast, Kabali merchandise, lunch and snacks. 
 
2. Airtel launches special Kabali packages: 
 
 <img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53304345.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
 
Jumping in the bandwagon, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=airtel&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Airtel</a> has announced special packages to promote Kabali in Chennai. The telecom giant has introduced a host of services around the film- including Kabali recharge packs with unlimited 2G internet, Kabali Hello Tune s and even new Kabali branded SIM packs. Airtel users also have the option of wishing the superstar directly via Airtel exclusive SMS channel. Messages received from customers will be compiled into a coffee table book along with their names and presented to the superstar as a memorabilia. 
 
3. Now, Rajnikanth’s face is also money: 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53304360.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=muthoot+finance&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Muthoot Finance</a>, a Kerala-based company went a step ahead and launched a series of limited-edition silver coins with the superstars' face etched on them. Available in denominations of five grams, 10 grams, 20 gram coin and a 10 gram pendant, they are priced between Rs 300 to Rs 1400. 
 
4. Puducherry government is also making the most of Kabali: 
 
It speak volumes of the loyalty people have towards Rajnikanth when you can get them to do almost anything in his name. Taking a leaf out of that book, the Puducherry government had offered residents of Sellipet panchayat free tickets or Kabali if they construct toilets in their homes. After finding that almost 58 percent of the residents in Sellipet village were defecating in open space, the state government decided to come up with this incentive. And, if BJP leader <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=kiran+bedi&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Kiran </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=kiran+bedi&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Bedi’</a>s tweet is to be believed, the government’s plan seems to be working.

Four offers that prove that Rajnikanth’s Kabali
fever has spread all over India

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53339451.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
(Image credit: Reuters) 
 
 
The highly anticipated <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Believe-it-or-not-Rajinikanths-Kabali-has-already-earned-Rs-200-crores-even-before-its-release/articleshow/53321571.cms">Kabali</a>, starring none other than superstar <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Four-offers-that-prove-that-Rajnikanths-Kabali-fever-has-spread-all-over-India/articleshow/53304213.cms">Rajinikanth </a>finally hit the theatres today and while fans have been going crazy celebrating seeing their idol on the screen today all across the country, they have also kept the <keyword id="3453547" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kabali-fever">Kabali fever</keyword> riding high in the weeks leading up to the film’s release. 
 It’s a known fact that Tamil actor <keyword id="14509" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajinikanth">Rajinikanth</keyword> has an almost cult following of fans- who are not only loyal to him and his movies, but also worship him as their god. 
 
Evidence of his popularity can be seen right from <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Kabali-fever-These-companies-just-gave-their-employees-a-day-off-to-watch-Rajnikanths-new-movie/articleshow/53300870.cms">companies based in Bengaluru and Tamil Nadu declaring a holiday </a>on Friday so that their employees can enjoy the movie first day first show to bulk bookings for the movie by corporate and employees faking illness to go watch <keyword id="283584" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kabali">Kabali</keyword>. 
 
And, then there’s the fact that Kabali’s first day first show was at 4 am and not the usual 8 am. Such was the impatience of the fans. Again, this only happens in a Rajinikanth movie, no doubt. 
 
Keeping this in mind, Business Insider dug around and found out five other crazy things that fans did in run-up to the release of Kabali. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53339399.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
 (Image credit: Twitter) 
 
 
1. People are repainting themselves and their cars in Kabali body paints: The Kabali fever has reached high and low, and reportedly a car dealer in <keyword id="20154" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword> is repainting brand new cars with the graphics from the film and imagery of Rajinikanth and claims that they are selling like hot cakes! 
 
2. One fan has proclaimed to watch 10 back-to-back shows of Kabali: To honour his idol, superstar Rajinikanth, Srinivasan Jayaseelean, a self-confessed ‘super fan’ from Chennai has announced his plan of spending all of 22 and 23 July inside a cinema hall watching 10 back-to-back shows of Kabali. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53339436.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
(Image credit: Twitter) 
 
 
3. In Karnataka, a Rajini fan has gotten a customised KABALI number plate for his car: The owner of the vehicle is a die-hard Rajinikanth fan and much to the envy of others- has managed to procure the number (KA 8 AL 1) at a high price and changed the font to make it look like "Kabali.” 
 
4. There is a designer sari with Rajinikanth’s face on it: In Bangalore, the original hometown of the Thalaivaa, entrepreneur Smitha Sarma Ranganathan has specially designed a sari with Rajinikanth’s Don Kabali face on it. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53339476.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
(Image credit: AFP) 
 
5. Fans have crossed countries to watch Kabali: You know the Kabali fever is at an all-time high when a group of fans have flown down to Chennai, all the way from Japan to catch the ‘first day first show’ of Kabali.

Five crazy things Rajinikanth fans have done
to celebrate Kabali’s release

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53300968.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
Superstar <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=rajnikanth&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Rajnikanth</a> is back with a new movie- <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=kabali&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Kabali</a>, that’s finally releasing on July 22. And, as expected, people all around the country are treating the day as an auspicious occasion, one that warrants complete and utmost attention. 
 
And, making the lives of their employees easier are a few<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=startups&amp;sortorder=effectivedate"> start-ups</a> that have done the unimaginable- giving them a day off to enjoy <keyword id="283584" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kabali">Kabali</keyword> on the big screen. 
 
This measure is indeed a win-win for companies, as one hand they do earn the goodwill of their employees with a little publicity on the side and on the other hand, prevent the mass-sick leaves or bunks that the employees would have otherwise gone on to watch Rajnikanth’s new movie, if they didn’t have a day off. 
 
The two companies known to issue notices declaring Friday as a holiday for Kabali’s release include <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=bangalore&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Bangalore</a>-based Opus Waterproofing and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=chennai&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Chennai’s</a> data management firm, Fyndus India Pvt Ltd. 
 
According to an official working at Opus Waterproofing, the decision to circulate the news of the day off on Friday stemmed from the excitement that the employees had shown in the weeks leading to the release. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53300989.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
 
“Instead of dealing with mass bunks and mobile switch offs, we came up with the idea of declaring a holiday on July 22 and instead be a part of the celebration. It would also serve as a motivation to our employees. Just like <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=diwali+bonus&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Diwali bonus</a>, we treated them to Kabali bonus.” 
 
Additionally, apart from giving the day off, Fyndus is also arranging free tickets for the movie to give out to its employees. 
 
 <img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53300996.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
 
Following its move is Coimbatore-based software company Payoda, which is giving out free ‘first day first show’ tickets for 300 lucky employees. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53300992.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
 
 The Kabali frenzy is so high that there’s also an online petition that has been launched which requests Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to declare July 22 as an official holiday. 
 
“We humbly request our <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=jayalalithaa&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">CM Jayalalithaa</a> to declare Friday as a public holiday, which will enable people to watch the movie in comfort, without the hassle of taking leave," goes the petition. 
 Kabali directed by <keyword id="1163705" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pa-Ranjith">Pa Ranjith</keyword>, stars <keyword id="14509" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajinikanth">Rajinikanth</keyword> as a Malaysian mob boss. The cast includes <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=radhika+apte&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Radhika Apte</a> and Taiwanese actor Winston Chao.

Kabali fever: These companies just gave their
employees a day off to watch Rajnikanth’s new movie

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53333484.cms" /> 
Fans of Indian superstar <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Heres-why-Rajinikanth-is-The-Rajinikanth/articleshow/53321524.cms">Rajinikanth</a> lined up to watch his latest release <keyword id="283584" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kabali">Kabali</keyword> for shows as early as 5 am in Chennai. Even though this isn’t usual for a movie to hold its first show this early in the day, but when it comes to <keyword id="14509" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajinikanth">Rajinikanth</keyword>, who has almost achieved a godly status in the country especially in the southern parts, one can expect things to be unusual. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Believe-it-or-not-Rajinikanths-Kabali-has-already-earned-Rs-200-crores-even-before-its-release/articleshow/53321571.cms">Believe it or not, Rajinikanth’s Kabali has already earned Rs 200 crores even before its release</a> 
 
The 65-year-old plays a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/WATCH-The-making-of-Kabali-shows-how-Rajinikanth-transforms-into-the-Don-like-a-boss/articleshow/53318907.cms">Malaysia-based don</a> in his latest release, which has its tickets sold out a week in advance. In Chennai, even when the movie show was supposed to be started at 5 AM, fans reached the theatres at 4 in the morning, to cheer and celebrate the release. There were fireworks and live music outside the theatres, with the star’s life-size cut-outs adorning the walls of the cinemas. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/KABALI-LEAKED-ONLINE/articleshow/53280873.cms">KABALI LEAKED ONLINE</a> 
 
Talking of the reactions, one can only expect the movie to be a super hit, given the huge popularity that the star enjoys. The response to the movie included fans wishing for a sequel, yes, on the very first day of its release. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Four-offers-that-prove-that-Rajnikanths-Kabali-fever-has-spread-all-over-India/articleshow/53304213.cms">Four offers that prove that Rajnikanth’s Kabali fever has spread all over India</a> 
 
The roads are stranded in Chennai and Bengaluru, with people taking the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Kabali-fever-These-companies-just-gave-their-employees-a-day-off-to-watch-Rajnikanths-new-movie/articleshow/53300870.cms">day off </a>to watch the movie, or just celebrate the release in their own manner, like festivals. 
 
After all, Rajini sir's movie release is nothing less than a festival for his devotees (read fans).

Kabali at 5am, house full in Chennai theatre

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/53321784.cms" />The D-Day is finally upon us. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=rajnikanth&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Rajinikanth’s</a> much-awaited next <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=kabali&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Kabali</a> will release tomorrow and like all <keyword id="14509" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajinikanth">Rajinikanth</keyword> movies, this time too, the frenzy has gripped everyone, especially those in Tamil Nadu. 
 Even before <keyword id="283584" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kabali">Kabali</keyword>’s release, movie theatres in down south are packed to their capacity and you never know if they start selling popcorn in his name as well. 
 
Such is the craze for Kabali that if you plan to visit Chennai or any part in Tamil Nadu on July 22 and onwards, you will probably find everything shut, even corporates for that matter, and if you want to find them, you will know where to find them. 
 
READ ALSO: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Four-offers-that-prove-that-Rajnikanths-Kabalifever-has-spread-all-over-India/articleshow/53304213.cms">Four offers that prove that Rajinikanth’s Kabali fever has spread all over India</a> 
 
Ticket prices in the multiplexes have doubled to Rs 500, big brands are riding high on Rajinikanth’s fan following and bringing in creative stuff to advertise and campaign for their brands. 
 
Every Rajni fan (which means entire south) is humming the ‘Neruppu Daa’ song, which means fire and those who did not get a ticket are trying their luck to win a free one through promotional SMSes, radio quizzes, etc. This means, everyone is making a killing in the process. 
 
This maddening frenzy for Rajinikanth is not new. People have been praying for him, even him, in several households. He is superstar for several reasons. For one, he is a people’s man. But, one point in his life, he had decided to quit his acting career but changed his decision (thank god for that). 
 
READ ALSO: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Kabali-fever-These-companies-just-gave-theiremployees-a-day-off-to-watch-Rajnikanths-new-movie/articleshow/53300870.cms">Kabali fever: These companies just gave their employees a day off to watch Rajinikanth’s new movie</a> 
 
If you are watching Kabali, this means you are his die-hard fan and know him better than a Wikipedia page. 
 
But, in case you are looking for some more juice, here are fun facts about him and what makes Rajinikanth, the Rajinikanth

Here’s why Rajinikanth is, The Rajinikanth

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/55868798.cms" /> 
 And as the year 2016 comes to an end, <keyword id="10879" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="YouTube">Youtube</keyword> is out with #YouTubeRewind which lists out the most popular videos from shows to movie trailers to music videos from the passing year. 
 India is one of the top markets for video consumption and mostly people turn to Youtube to get their daily dose of videos. According to <keyword id="6355629" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google">Google</keyword>, Youtube’s total viewing duration has grown 80 percent over the past year in India. Entertainment-related content continue to take the lions share, contributing 90 percent of viewership but Education and health-related videos are growing and likely to be the future growth drivers on YouTube. 
 So if you are wondering what made Youtubers go crazy in 2016, no prize for guessing here as Rajnikant’s <keyword id="283584" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kabali">Kabali</keyword> ruled the charts to become top trending movie trailer, <keyword id="3236" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kapil-Sharma">Kapil Sharma</keyword> show featuring <keyword id="6354583" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Salman-Khan">Salman Khan</keyword> got company from YouTube stars of The Viral Fever playing truth or dare with dad and All India Bakchod’s portrayal of bars and restaurants was top trending video’s of the year. Apart from entertainment, thanks to govt’s demonetization move, Youtubers were also most curious to know about the GPS chip in the new 2000 rupees note! 
 Well, the top videos had a bit of everything from <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> to Kapil Sharma to TVF to demonetization! 
 
Top trending videos: 
1. The Kapil Sharma Show: Sultan 2. <keyword id="823080" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-voice">The Voice</keyword> India Kids: Ayat Shaikh 
3. Crime Patrol Dial 100: Andhkaar 
4. Complete truth of Rs 2000 notes with a chip embedded in it 
5. TVF: Truth or Dare with Dad 
6. TVF's Permanent Roommates: The Parents 
7. AIB : Honest Bars &amp; Restaurants 
8. Life Sahi Hai: The Maid 
9. How Shah Rukh Khan Became The FAN - Gaurav 
10. AIB Diwas: Zakir Khan 
 
In Music, 2016 seemed to be all about music video ‘Kala Chashma’ that hit a massive 45 million views! 
 
Top music videos: 
1. Kala Chashma: Baar Baar Dekho 
2. Kar Gayi Chull: Kapoor &amp; Sons 
3. Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai: Sultan 
4. Bulleya: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil 
5. Cham Cham: Baaghi 
6. GF BF: T-Series 
7. Hua hain Aaj Pehli Baar: Sanam Re 
8. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil 
9. Jabra:Fan 
10. The Breakup Song: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil 
 In movies, well, how can the list start without <keyword id="14509" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rajinikanth">Rajinikanth</keyword> topping it! And the Khans of Bollywood followed closely behind. 
 
Top movie trailers: 
1. Kabali Tamil Movie 
2. Dangal 
3. Sultan 
4. M.S.Dhoni - The Untold Story 
5. Shivaay 
6. Befikre 
7. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil 
8. Fan 
9. Baaghi 
10. Dishoom 
 
Also Read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Googles-Pixel-against-iPhone7-getting-iPhone-users-to-use-Android-phone/articleshow/55485395.cms">8 Reasons to choose Google Pixel over iPhone7</a>

You Searched For "Kabali fever" and got 7 results

WATCH: The making of Kabali shows how Rajinikanth transforms into the Don like a boss

Poulomi Das

Four offers that prove that Rajnikanth’s Kabali fever has spread all over India

Poulomi Das

Five crazy things Rajinikanth fans have done to celebrate Kabali’s release

Poulomi Das

Kabali fever: These companies just gave their employees a day off to watch Rajnikanth’s new movie

Poulomi Das

Kabali at 5am, house full in Chennai theatre

BI India Bureau

Here’s why Rajinikanth is, The Rajinikanth

Akanksha Jain

It’s time to revisit the top videos India watched in 2016

Nazia Bijal