MUMBAI: In a rather shaky box-office year, it is the political thriller Raajneeti that has made its way to the fourth largest release as it scoops up Rs 620 million in the opening weekend.
The Prakash Jha-directed movie trails behind Shah Rukh Khan‘s My Name Is Khan that netted Rs 850 million, Kites (Rs 650 million) and Housefull (Rs 640 million).
Produced jointly by UTV Motion Pictures and Walkwater Media, Raajneeti took home Rs 510 million from India where it released in 1900 screens.
The film made a total business of $315,048 in the UK, $916,446 in the US and $500,000 in the Gulf.
Raajneeti opened in 2200 screens globally compared to Rakesh Roshan‘s Kites that opened in 2500 screens.
Avers trade analyst Taran Adarsh, "The film did good business in multiplexes as well as single-screens in both smaller towns and big cities. Resultantly, the film garnered over 90 per cent collections. The audience feedback has been very good and the first week collection is bound to be excellent."
Raajneeti has, thus, in its first weekend managed to clear of the Rs 550 million that was riding on it. "Having pre-sold the satellite TV and music rights at an additional revenue of Rs 220 million, the film will undoubtedly do surplus business," says a trade analyst.
With the release of Mani Ratnam‘s Raavan only on 18 June, Raajneeti has two clear weeks to run free without real competition as small-time films Ek Second Jo Zindagi Ko Badal De and The Camp hit the screens this Friday.
