While the advance booking for "Kabali" started in Bengaluru and Kochi on Sunday, July 17, it has kicked off a day later in Chennai. The Rajinikanth-starrer will hit the screens on this Friday, July 22.

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In Chennai, the pre-booking of tickets has started on Monday, July 18, while it is likely to begin on Tuesday in rest of Tamil Nadu. SPI Cinemas and Abhirami Mega Hall are the first two exhibitors, who have started the advance booking in the capital city of Tamil Nadu.

SPI Cinemas will have 96 shows of "Kabali" each on the first, second and third day in Chennai and a total of 288 shows during the first weekend. Abirami Mega Mall has planned to have 56 shows in the opening weekend.

The tickets for all the shows in both the cinema halls are completely sold out. People are now curiously looking forward to see whether the theatres will further add special shows to meet the demand. Other cinema halls are expected to start the booking later in the day.

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Industry experts predict that over 1,000 shows of "Kabali" would be held in Chennai alone in its first weekend, and theatres are trying to have maximum number of shows to cash in on the craze. 

Outside Tamil Nadu, it is reported that single screens will hold 5-7 shows during the first weekend, with the first show starting at 4.15 a.m. and the last show at 11.45 p.m.

Meanwhile, the advance booking for the premiere in the United States on July 21 has also been started and tickets are selling like hotcakes. "#KABALI - advance ticketing opened only in few locations and mostly all locations will be opened by Monday, " Cine Galaxy, the distributor of the film in the U.S., tweeted.

"Kabali" stars Rajinikanth and Radhika Apte in the lead roles. It is produced by Kalaippuli S Thanu and directed by Pa Ranjith.