MUMBAI: FoxStar Studios' Cuckoo has opened strong in its opening weekend making it the highest grossing opening for a Tamil film without a big star cast in the last five years. Co-produced with The Next Big Film, Cuckoo is the fourth hit for Fox Star in the Tamil market. 

Previous hits include Raja Rani, Vathikuchi and Engaeyum Eppothum (US grosses waiting for Dmitry). Cuckoo is a heartwarming love story between a blind couple.  

Director Raju Murugan said: “I am grateful to the fraternity and the audiences for such a warm reception to the film. I could have never imagined this love and affection and such a huge success at the box office, for a film that was being directed by a debutant and did not boast of any big star power. I am thankful to Fox Star Studios and Next Big Films for showing faith in me and in my two powerhouse performers - Dinesh and Malavika, for coming up one of with the most memorable performances of 2014!” 

Cuckoo is also Fox Star Studios first film post its successful three film deal with A R Murugadoss. And Murugadoss will be directing a Hindi film - Holiday - for the studio next. 

Fox Star Studios CEO Vijay Singh added: “With Cuckoo, we, along with our co producers, The Next Big Film, have been able to demonstrate that content really is the king at the box office. With Raja Rani and now Cuckoo, we have given the industry two new talented directors, Atlee and Raju. With four back to back hits under our belt, three of which were in joint production with one of the giants of Tamil cinema, A R Murugadoss, we are now looking forward to some exciting times ahead, as our next Mundasuppati, in partnership with Thirukumaran Entertainment, gets ready for a release soon.” 

Next up for Fox Star is its Hindi release Hawaa Hawaai directed by Amole Gupte (post Stanley Ka Dabba’s criticial and commercial success) slated for a release on 9 May.   

Having considerably scaled up in the Hindi film market, Fox Star recently announced a four film deal with Vishesh films (on the back of Raaz 3, Jannat 2 and Murder 3's success) and has forged alliances with Pooja Entertainment and Films, Phantom Films, Illuminati Films and Endemol India.   

Fox International Productions president Sanford Panitch said: “Fox Star India continues to use its strength in choosing projects, distribution and marketing of both Hollywood and Indian films, and in sustaining lasting partnerships to great results.”