'Matru…' recovers costs, becomes Bhardwaj's biggest film

Mumbai, Jan 18 (IANS) "Matru ki Bijlee Ka Mandola", (MKBKM), a political satire with a dollop of humour, may not have got an overwhelming response but it has recovered its costs by collecting Rs. 41.15 crore worldwide in the first week of its release, making it Vishal Bhardwaj's biggest film yet.

Fox Star Studios and VB Pictures made "Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola" for Rs.33 crore. It has garnered Rs.33.15 crore net at the domestic box office and Rs.8 crore from the overseas market. The revenues from TV, Music and Home Video further boosted its profit, said a statement.

Criticism notwithstanding, Bhardwaj is happy and said: "This is my biggest opening and appreciation is coming from a lot of people. But I am really happy and relieved about the fact that I am able to make the kind of movie that I want to make and still have a profitable film. "

Critics have lauded Pankaj Kapur's performance in the film, which also sees superb acting by Shabana Azmi. The two veterans are ably supported by Imran Khan, Anushka Sharma and Arya Babbar.

Pritish Nandy calls it a "wicked wit" and added that Pankaj Kapur has proved again "his peerless acting prowess".

Vijay Singh, CEO FoxStar Studios, feels MKBKM has "polarised audiences and is testimony to the changing audience preferences..."

A satirical commentary on the country's social system, MKBKM story takes place in a small town in Haryana.

"It has certainly appealed to the multiplex audiences. As there was no competition, people have lapped it up," said Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan.

Even Amitabh Bachchan praised Bhardwaj's endeavour to target corruption in the society using satire as a medium to talk to the masses, and tweeted: "A land issue much like Singur, rich and poor divide, communism of takes, anti-alcohol, love triangle (DDLJ style), politics - all portrayed in a manner not unknown to us, yet unknown ....a composite satire, if ever satires could be composite."

For Anurag Kashyap "Matru..." is "the most kickass funny, intelligent and relevant film of our times".

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Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola