Finance
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s latest release, ‘Pathaan,’ which was embroiled in a controversy over a saffron-colored bikini, has smashed Hindi film box-office records.
The film opened to a record-breaking Rs 57 crore (NBOC) in India. Deepika Padukone and John Abraham also star in the film, which was released in three languages: Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
According to Taran Adarsh, senior film trade analyst, Rs 55 crore of the film’s business came from Hindi markets, with the remaining Rs 2 crores coming from Telugu and Tamil territories.
This film outperformed the Hindi collections of ‘K.G.F.: Chapter 2’ (Rs 53.95 crore) and the 2019 two-hero film ‘War’ (Rs 51.60 crore). The latter, too, belongs to Yash Raj Film’s – the production house behind ‘Pathaan’.
In terms of worldwide collections, the film reportedly has raked in Rs 100 crore, an impressive feat given that SRK has a devoted fan base among the Indian diaspora.
‘Pathaan’ marks the return of King Khan, as he is affectionately known, to the big screen after a four-year absence. His most recent film was the ambitious ‘Zero,’ directed by Aanand L. Rai and released in 2018. The film was a box-office flop in India, grossing Rs 88.74 crore.
Prior to that, SRK’s 2017 film ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’ earned Rs 62 crore in India, according to Box Office India.
With Republic Day immediately followed by the weekend and virtually no competition from other tentpoles, it will be interesting to see how things turn for ‘Pathaan’ in the days to come but, for now, Bollywood has a reason to celebrate for the King is ruling the box-office.
Source:IANS
