SRK is bigger than Tom Cruise
Two Indian films create history at International Box Office
London. 22 November, 2007. 'Om Shanti Om' opened to rave reviews and advance bookings on the 9th November and has since grossed over US$19 million worldwide in its first week, making it the most successful opening in Indian cinema history.
In a press release, film's distributors, Eros International, says: Om Shanti Om released across 1,400 plus screens globally, and for the first time saw screenings as early as 7.45 a.m. in certain multiplexes in India, making it one of the most anticipated films in recent times.
Om Shanti Om’s staggering first week gross collections of US$13.5 million in India make it the best ever opening there. The figures overseas are no less remarkable with the film grossing $1.5 million at the UK box office and over $2million in North America in its first week
With as many as 14-16 shows planned daily in its second week at some multiplexes, Eros International is looking forward to an excellent run of King Khan’s film offering.
It’s official. India's actor Shahrukh Khan is a bigger star than Tom Cruise. Bollywood stole the spotlight from Tom Cruise's "Lions for Lambs" at the international box office over the weekend.
Shah Rukh Khan's "Om Shanti Om" and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Saawariya" created history worldwide. This is some thing that was never heard or seen before.
India-EU Film initiative is getting reports that film pundits and Hollywood stars are seriously taking notice of ‘Bollywood phenomenon’ for the first time. Leading US magazines and film writers are trying to find out more about Bollywood.
International entertainment magazine ‘Variety’ says: In the U.K., “Lions for Lambs” opened lamely, taking $1.4 million at 404 screens for Fox. The haul left “Lambs” floundering in sixth place with a $3,361 screen average. Savage reviews dealt the talky political drama a big blow.
"'Lions for Lambs' met low expectations. We went in expecting the worst and pretty much got it,” said a London-based booker.
Another international magazine ‘Screen’ confirms:
Eros Intl.'s "Om Shanti Om," a tribute to the 1970s era in Bollywood, took in roughly $17 million in India while Sony's "Saawariya" finished with $14.4 million at 754.
"Om Shanti Om" also took in $1.5 million at 114 the United States while "Saawariya" generated $600,000 in the U.S., $340,000 in the U.K. and $100,000 in Australia.
The stunning numbers for both pictures come two months after Sony signed a deal with Eros -- the leading Indian movie group -- for a multi picture production and distribution deal that encompasses six to eight movies in the first year of the agreement (Daily Variety, Sept. 19).
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who is credited with the healthy box-office run of "Om Shanti Om”, has attributed the film’s success to debutant actress Deepika Padukone, pictured.
Khan, 42, is seen in every frame of the film either pulling off hilarious antics or flaunting his six-pack. His shirtless song-and-dance sequence has been one of the main reasons behind the film’s success.
The actor, however, says the main attraction of the film is his co-star Padukone, a model and daughter of India's renowned badminton player Prakash Padukone.
Two weeks into its release "Om Shanti Om" is still running to packed theatres across India. Analysts say the popularity of Bollywood's most bankable actor will see the film set new records in box office collections.