The countdown to the biggest release of the year has already begun. With less than a week to go before Rajinikanth's magnum opus 2.0 hits screens, trade analysts are having a field day speculating about the strong opening that the Shankar-directed film might enjoy.

Interestingly, mid-day has learnt that, in an unprecedented move, two fan clubs - of Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar each - have come together to book a leading multiplex in Sion for the first show on Thursday. In what could well be a sign of their immense fan following, the 6 am shows across the three screens of the multiplex have been sold out.