MUMBAI: The three-month drought at the box-office has ended with Sajid Nadiawala‘s Housefull, an episodic comedy that has garnered Rs 640 million in the opening weekend.

Among the first of the summer releases post IPL, Housefull collected Rs 480 million in India and Rs 160 million overseas in its opening weekend.

The film, which opened across 2000-plus screens worldwide, has taken a flying start in UK and is positioned at No 11 in that market, having grossed ?2.7 million in three days.

Says Eros International Media senior VP Nandu Ahuja, "Housefull being the first major release post 45 days of IPL cricket frenzy, we were confident that it will open very well. With its excellent weekend performance, the biggest of the year so far, Housefull has lived up to its name".

Cinemax senior vice president Devang Sampat agrees that the movie has had a strong start. "Housefull has taken a good opening across all our theatres. It should do well in the coming days too," he says.

Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Housefull is the result of an output deal signed between Eros International Media Ltd and Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment with whom Eros has enjoyed a long association.

A comic caper in Sajid Khan style, Housefull stars a mix of actors including Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh along with Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Arjun Rampal and Jiah Khan.

Shah Rukh Khan‘s My Name is Khan is the last significant movie release in the year to have moved the box-office, mopping up Rs 1.92 billion after 17 weeks.