Fans ensure that James will be the late Puneeth Rajkumar’s biggest release ever

In a few hours, the first show of the late Puneeth Rajkumar’s last commercial film, James, will begin in Karnataka. The film, which is coming out on the late Power Star’s birthday (March 17), is being seen as a celebration, with fans determined to give it the biggest opening ever. In keeping with the craze for the film, the makers have gone all out to ensure that it releases in as many screens as possible. In fact, in Karnataka, all single-screens will only play James on March 17, with multiplexes also accommodating maximum shows, despite a few other-language releases Friday onward.

This craze, however, is not only limited to the film’s India release. James will be in multiple screens in locations across the globe, like, Singapore, Australia, USA, Canada, Russia, UK, Japan, as well as several countries in Europe and Africa, among others. A quick look at movie ticketing platforms is testimony to the fact that all roads will lead to James screens on Thursday with almost every show sold out already. Booking, which opened almost a week ago, saw early morning shows getting sold out in record time. Sources in Sandalwood circles say that James producer Kishore Pathikonda has not only broken even with pre-release business, but is already sitting on a neat profit, which will only grow by the day.

James, directed by lyricist-turned-filmmaker Chethan Kumar (known for movies like Bahaddur, Bharjari and Bharaate), was in production when Puneeth passed away following a massive heart attack. Since his untimely demise in October last year, the team of the film has been working round-the-clock to ensure that it is released on the late actor’s birthday as a treat for his fans.