Master frenzy takes over India

Master has finally hit theatres today. The release has led to a festival-like atmosphere in theatres across India with fans gathering in large numbers to catch Vijay's latest movie. Master is also one of the first big Tamil films to release post the lockdown and is expected to revive the theatres business. (Photo: Janardhan Koushik/Indian Express)

The early morning shows saw fans dancing with abandon to welcome Thalpathy's Master. (Photo: Janardhan Koushik/Indian Express)

"Master is the first big scale, potential blockbuster film releasing after the lockdown. I think if this movie really does well, a lot of producers will be encouraged to start releasing their big films. So at some level, the entire entertainment industry of this country is rooting for Master to do well and heat up the engines of the industry,” said film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi, while talking to indianexpress.com. (Photo: Janardhan Koushik/Indian Express)

Master is going to be the first film to release in Kerala post the coronavirus-induced lockdown. While it is releasing in Tamil in southern states, the Hindi version will release in northern states on January 14. (Photo: Janardhan Koushik/Indian Express)

Some scenes from Master were leaked online earlier this week. The film's team urged fans to not ruin the cinematic experience and requested them to catch Vijay's film at cinema halls. (Photo: Janardhan Koushik/Indian Express)

Alongside Vijay, Master also stars Vijay Sethupathi, Malavika Mohanan, Arjun Das, Andrea Jeremiah and Shanthanu Bhagyaraj. It is produced by XB Film Creators and Seven Screen Studios. (Photo: Janardhan Koushik/Indian Express)

In Hyderabad, a huge cutout of Vijay welcomed fans as they returned to cinema halls after a long gap. (Photo: Gabbeta Ranjith Kumar/Indian Express)

In Mumbai, fans came in with 'Vijay Rath' to celebrate the release of Master. (Photo: Komal RJ Panchal/Indian Express)

Fans celebrated the release of Thalapathy's film with gusto. (Photo: Komal RJ Panchal/Indian Express)

In Thiruvanthapuram, fans queued outside the cinema hall to catch Master.

The celebrations inside a theatre in Thiruvanthapuram.

Fans maintain social distancing inside a theatre in Thiruvanthapuram.