MUMBAI: Raajneeti has mopped up Rs 105 million on the opening day, posting UTV‘s first big movie release success this year.

The Prakash Jha-directed political thriller, built on a budget of Rs 450 million, has recorded strong collections from Mumbai, Delhi/UP, East Punjab, CP Berar, CI and Rajasthan with almost 80-90 per cent average occupancy. The response, as expected, was weak in the South Indian market.

Producers UTV Motion Pictures and Manmohan Shetty‘s Walkwater Media, who have invested a further Rs 100 million in promoting the film, are optimistic that the movie will rake in profits.

UTV, in fact, claims Raajneeti to have recorded the second highest opening ever after 3 Idiots, which grossed Rs 129.8 million on its opening day last year (25 December). Raajneeti is closely followed by Kites (Rs 100.4 million) and Housefull (Rs 90 million).

Raajneeti stars Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Ajay Devgan, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpai and Naseerrudin Shah along with newcomer Sarah. The music of the film is composed by Wayne Sharpe and screenplay is by Jha and Anjum Rajabali.

Before Raajneeti, UTV had suffered a setback in the year with the Shahid Kapoor-starrer Chance Pe Dance failing to click at the box-office. UTV also released a Marathi movie, Harishchandrachi Factory, during the year.