'Talaash' mints Rs.48.99 crore with Aamir's Midas touch

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Aamir Khan's Midas touch seems to be working again. The actor's suspense-thriller is raking in the moolah at the domestic box-office earning Rs.48.99 crore in the opening weekend.

Directed by Reema Kagti, the film, featuring Aamir, Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor, was made at a budget of Rs.40 crore and its satellite rights were also sold for Rs.40 crore. "Talaash" released across 2,500 screens.

The film opened with rave reviews and its first weekend breakup is - Rs.14.52 crore (Friday), Rs.16.37 crore (Saturday) and Rs.18.1 crore (Sunday).

Rajesh Thadani of Multimedia Combines, Mumbai, says the response to the film is good and it is attracting more of a class audience.

"It is more for class audience rather than masses. The weekend has been very good and the movie is doing great in multiplexes as compared to single screens," Thadani told IANS.

A lot of families are also coming to watch the suspense thriller, said Jaspal Dhingra of Nanaksar Enterprises.

"In three days, the movie has earned approximately Rs.3.75 crore in Punjab. It is a weekend-plus picture and is expected to do better. Families are coming and liking the movie," said Dhingra.

Unlike his previous films, Aamir, who is also the producer of the film along with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, chose to keep the promotions low-key as they didn't want to ruin the suspense of the film.

And his marketing strategy seemed to have worked when it comes to attracting footfalls.

"The footfalls are exceeding and the movie has almost 80-90 percent occupancy. All age groups are coming," said Rahul Singh, senior vice president, PVR Cinemas.

However, Singh says weekdays will decide its longevity.

"The weekdays will decide how it does in future as the word of mouth spreads. Movies like 'Khiladi 786' and 'Dabangg 2' will release so we will have to wait and watch," he said.

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Talaash