Superhero 'RA.One' flying high with Rs.170 crore collection

Nov 1, 2011 IANS

Mumbai, Oct 31 (IANS) Shah Rukh Khan's technolgical masterpiece "RA.One", one of the most expensive films made in India, has recovered its costs by earning Rs.170 crore worldwide in the opening weekend. The superstar is congratulating his business partners on the superhero's box office success.

Eros International Media Ltd (Eros International) released the collection report stating that the film has got a record breaking opening - the highly anticipated Diwali collected of Rs. 137.25 crore (net collection Rs. 96 crore) in India and Rs. 32.75 crore overseas.

Apart from this, Shah Rukh Khan had reportedly sold the satellite rights for Rs.37 crore, the music rights for Rs.8 crore and ancillary rights for Rs.10 crore even before the film had hit the screens.

"As always, my heart doesn't crunch numbers and heroes don't count zeros...but it's nice to know how 'Ra.One' is flying," he further tweeted.

"Ga Ga ooh la la...Ra Ra Ra.One. Thrilled with response. Congratulations to my business partners."

Made at a budget of Rs.150 crore, the film, described as best in terms of technology, opened across more than 4,000 plus screens worldwide - 3,100 plus screens in India and 904 prints internationally, including 3D and has become the biggest Hindi grosser in southern market too.

"Ra. One released to packed houses across the country on Diwali day and has already created history by taking over the mantle of the biggest domestic earner so far. The film continues to be on its record breaking spree with several new achievements since its release. It has touched the highest individual collection in circuits such as Mumbai, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan," Nandu Ahuja, senior vice president, distribution, Eros International Media Ltd said in a statement.

"We see repeat viewings of the movie with the 3-D version being equally sought after. With the Eid holiday also coming up next week and no other major film release, we are anticipating the film to continue doing huge numbers," he added.

Speaking on the film's overseas performance, Pranab Kapadia, president, distribution, Eros International, said: "The film is enjoying a superb run across all major regions including UK, North America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Overseas, the film has broken SRK's own previous first weekend record established by 'My Name Is Khan' and occupies the position of biggest Indian first weekend grosser overseas as well."

Eros plans to take the film to non-traditional markets - "RA.One" is scheduled for theatrical release in the first quarter of 2012 across several territories including South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Russia , Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Palestine, Brazil, Spain, Italy and Greece .

Directed by Anubhav Sinha, "RA.One" saw King Khan as G.One along with Arjun Rampal as Ra.One and Kareena Kapoor.

Though the critics didn't give it a thumbs up, the film's visual effects and state of the art production techniques have set a new standard in the Indian film industry.

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