KATHMANDU: Kabaddi Kabaddi has turned out to be one of the fastest Nepali films to earn above Rs one crore — collecting Rs one crore 30 lakh in the first two days of its release. One of the most awaited films of this year, Ram Babu Gurung’s sequel of Kabaddi has been making a lot of noise since its release on November 27.

“The movie is being screened in 16 halls of Kathmandu Valley and 35 halls outside the Valley. And the film collected about Rs one crore 30 lakh on Friday and Saturday — with Rs 40 lakh box-office collection from outside Valley and rest (Rs 90 lakh) from the Valley,” informs Madhav Wagle, Managing Director of Popcorn Pictures which is the film’s distributor.

Daya Hang Rai and Saugat Malla starrer Kabaddi Kabaddi has now joined the list of Nepal’s other fastest grossers — Chhadke, Resham Filili, Bhairav and Wada No 6.

Made in the budget of Rs one crore 10 lakh, Kabaddi Kabaddi “has been houseful in all theatres so far and it will do more business in coming days” as per Wagle. The reason being — “The film is yet to be released in the eastern part of Nepal — important revenue generating area for Nepali films.”

After the success of Kabaddi, people had been looking forward to its sequel with much anticipation. And Kabaddi Kabaddi is being loved by many now. At QFX Cinemas, “there is 100 per cent occupancy. The film is houseful — which indicates it is doing really good business,” shares its Logistic Manager Basanta Manandhar. The film collected approximately Rs 21 lakh in gross on November 27 and 28 at QFX Cinemas.

Further highlighting how Kabaddi Kabaddi is doing at QFX Cinemas, he mentions, “Tickets have already been booked till Monday (November 30) and another booking starts from Tuesday. People are returning after not getting tickets and some are even waiting for tickets to be released from booking. Other few Nepali films have great done but this is the best so far. It will go good for this week.”

The scenario is the same at another cinema hall, Gopi Krishna. General Manager at Gopi Krishna Movies Tirtha Poudel says, “We have given three halls to the film and it is doing good. All shows are houseful and 50 per cent tickets have already been booked for one week.”

Dipa Thapa, 24, with her two friends had gone to watch the film at Gopi Krishna, Chabahil. When they reached the ticket counter, “we were late and the counter was closed. But we got extra tickets and watched the film sitting on the stairs”. She enjoyed the “funny film and actors Malla and Rai” despite not getting a proper seat.

Waiting in line for tickets was Suniel Sharma, 27 but he didn’t get lucky like Thapa. “We had gone to QFX Cinemas at Civil Mall and Big Cinemas on November 28 but in vain. Tickets were not available online nor could we get at the venue after waiting in line for cancelled tickets.” He had recently watched Kabaddi which he liked and wanted to watch Kabaddi Kabaddi to “promote Nepali films”.

Kabaddi Kabaddi has lured people to the halls. Nothing has stopped them. Not even the ongoing fuel crisis which is why

Gurung is in “happy state”. “Many numbers of shows and positive review” from the people have added to his ecstasy.