Call it the Shah Rukh Khan factor or the love for Rohit Shetty's masala entertainers, Indian cinegoers have given a thumbs up to Chennai Express - the latest release at the box office.
Chennai Express smashed known-records at the box office, with collections crossing the Rs 100-crore mark within first four days of its release (including previews on Thursday).
Also starring Deepika Padukone, the action comedy entertainer was made at a budget of Rs 70 crore.
A tale of a north Indian man, who falls in love with the daughter of a don down south, 'Chennai Express' was heavily promoted by its cast and director across all quarters. It managed roaring business not just nationally, but also on foreign shores via paid previews, and on its opening day.
The Shetty-directed film released on Eid-ul-Fitr and cashed in on the extended weekend.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh called Chennai Express' opening collections a "monstrous weekend". He tweeted: "'Chennai Express' Thursday previews (earned) Rs 6.75 crore, Friday (opening day) Rs 33.12 crore, Saturday Rs 28.05 crore, Sunday Rs 32.50 crore. Total Rs 100.42 crore nett. Monstrous weekend... India business only."
Despite receiving such an overwhelming response, celebrities haven't stopped promoting the film, which is co-produced by SRK's Red Chillies Entertainment and UTV Motion Pictures.
While Shah Rukh himself joined some audience members in a Mumbai theatre on Sunday to experience their laughter, Miss Asia Pacific World 2012 Himangini Singh and Femina Miss India 2013 finalist Akshitaa Agnihotri are participating in a charity programme in Kathmandu on Monday where 'Chennai Express' will be screened. The funds raised by it will be donated to flood victims in Nepal through Mumbai-based NGO Project Crayon.
According to
Boxofficeindia.com, every circuit in India has set a new record for the first weekend. The South Indian circuits have crushed all records, with collections twice as high as other record-breaking films including 'Ek Tha Tiger' and
'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani'.
The masala entertainer has left behind big blockbusters in its 3-day opening weekend collections.
According to
Boxofficeindia.com, the all time top opening weekends (Friday through Sunday) have belonged to the below films (figures approximately) -
1. Chennai Express - Rs 86 crore
2. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani - Rs 62 crore
3.
Dabangg 2 - Rs 59 crore
4. Ek Tha Tiger - Rs 56.50 crore
5. Ra.One - Rs 53 crore
6. Bodyguard - Rs 52.50 crore
7. Dabangg - Rs 49 crore
8. Race 2 - Rs 48.50 crore
9. Don 2 - Rs 47 crore
10. Rowdy Rathore - Rs 46.75 crore
With inputs from IANS
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