Bengaluru College Declares Holiday for Empuraan, Arranges Free Screening for Students

The excitement for Malayalam cinema knows no bounds, extending far beyond Kerala. With the highly anticipated release of Mohanlal’s Empuraan just around the corner, a Bengaluru-based college has taken an extraordinary step to mark the occasion.

Good Shepherd College in Bengaluru has officially declared a holiday today, allowing students to watch Empuraan on the big screen. The institution announced the decision with a playful statement: “Lights, Camera, Holiday!” The move comes as a heartfelt tribute to Mohanlal, inspired by the deep admiration of the college’s chairman for the legendary actor.

Special Screening for Students

Taking the celebration a step further, the college has also arranged an exclusive early morning screening for its students. A 7 a.m. show at Movietime Cinemas, YGR Mall, Rajarajeshwari Nagar has been booked, with free tickets provided by the management.

Expressing their enthusiasm on social media, the institution posted:
“When passion and fandom unite, history is made! Our beloved MD, a devoted fan of Lalettan, has orchestrated a special screening of Empuraan to honor the brilliance of Mohanlal and the visionary direction of Prithviraj Sukumaran. This is more than just a film—it’s a phenomenon!”

Fandom-Driven Holidays: A Growing Trend

This isn’t the first time a major film release has sparked such excitement. In 2023, several companies in Chennai and Bengaluru declared holidays for employees to watch Rajinikanth’s Jailer on its opening day, with some even distributing free tickets.

A similar frenzy was seen in 2016 with Kabali, when Rajinikanth’s massive fan following led educational institutions in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to declare holidays, knowing that students would likely skip classes to watch the superstar’s comeback film. Some colleges even organized special screenings, creating a festival-like atmosphere.

With Empuraan now joining the ranks of films celebrated at such a scale, it’s clear that cinema continues to be a powerful cultural force—one that unites fans in extraordinary ways.