Superstar Rajinikanth's 1995 actioner "Baasha" is one of the iconic blockbusters of Tamil cinema, which retains its cult following to this day. Directed by Suresh Krissna, it featured the superstar in the role of an auto-rickshaw driver and a don.
A digitally remastered version of the film was re-released in theatres on Friday, and the film's first audience were the 65-year-old actor's wife Latha Rajinikanth and daughter Aishwarya Dhanush.
Latha and Aishwarya watched the film in a special red carpet premiere in Chennai on Friday.
Earlier on Friday, Dhanush posted on his Twitter page that the excitement around the film's release hasn't changed.
"After 22 years, same excitement. 'Baasha'," he wrote, and added in Tamil a dialogue from the film: "'Baasha' never lets down good people; he'd only make them think."
On Friday, special shows were organised by Rajinikanth's fans in select theatres across the city.
Major multiplexes have allocated their biggest screens for the film, which has opened to much fanfare.
"I'm a huge fan of 'Baasha', but I never watched it on the big screen. This is the first time I got to watch it in a theatre and the experience has been electric. Nothing about the film has changed even after two decades. It's probably the best commercial film," Sai Kumar, an engineering student, told IANS.
Other celebrities who attended the special premiere of "Baasha" included actress Manjima Mohan, actor Hrishikesh and composer and singer Anirudh Ravichander.
Expectedly, the film garnered positive reactions on social media.
(With IANS inputs)
@superstarrajini Thalaivaaaaa goosebumps overloaded #BaashaReturns #Baasha @dhanushkraja @ash_r_dhanush @soundaryaarajni pic.twitter.com/3hWLFre1CR
— திரவியம் (@diraviyamliqvid) March 3, 2017
Almost 104 shows for #Baasha in Chennai! #Thalaivar @superstarrajini
— Sunil Kubrick (@SunilKubrick) March 3, 2017
Idhu daa massssss #BaashaForever #BaashaReturns
Watching all these video responses of #Baasha and I can feel the vibes and energy. Only one man can do that, #Rajinikanth is his name
— Shruti Sathya (@shrutis97) March 3, 2017
Happiness is seeing #Baasha again on big screen #Thalaivarforever
— Suprajha S Rajan (@s_chinnu_rajan) March 3, 2017
#Baasha makes come back after 22 years and will make new records as #thalaiva is back. Bow down to @superstarrajini
— J KING (@Jking_bling) March 3, 2017
#Baasha complete celebration @ theatres for 22 yr old movie.. still same masss @superstarrajini
— Gokhul S (@sundargokhul) March 3, 2017
Ra Ra Rammiya
— Rajinikanth Fans (@Rajni_FC) March 3, 2017
Theatre Erupted
Fans Dance Wit Thalaivar #RBSIBaasha #BaashaDay @dancersatz @dhanushkraja @ash_r_dhanush @soundaryaarajni pic.twitter.com/T1NdQVGsun