Two weeks later, '3 Idiots' going strong

Jan 5, 2010 IANS

New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) Aamir Khan starrer "3 Idiots" is in its second week and the comedy-drama is still going strong. The film has earned Rs.240 crore (Rs.2.4 billion) so far and multiplexes are still screening an average of 10 houseful shows a day.

"Last year 'Ghajini' had broken all records and had gone on to become the biggest grosser in the history of Indian Cinema. No film since has even come close to the business.

"Now hold your breath and take a seat. '3 Idiots' has already crossed the business of 'Ghajini'. In less than 10 days '3 Idiots' has overtaken the entire business of 'Ghajini' in India, overseas... And is still going strong," Aamir posted on his blog.

Distributed by Reliance BIG Entertainment, the movie is being screened across 1,350 theatres and over 1,800 screens in India. It released with 342 prints over 366 screens across 40 countries in the overseas market.

Even in times of shrinking shelf lives of movies, "3 Idiots" has managed to grab time slots in around 50 theatres in Delhi with an average of 10 shows running per day. Still there are many who have not been able to see the film.

Delhi-based Sonika Singh has been trying her luck at the ticket windows to see "3 Idiots" since its release Dec 25, but in vain.

"I have been trying to book six tickets since Dec 26 for a last show so that I can watch the film with my family but I have just not been able to get good seats. Usually only the front rows are available which we are not interested in," Singh, a management executive, told IANS.

Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Rajkumar Hirani, "3 Idiots", about three friends - played by Aamir, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi - takes a dig at the education system in India. It is being lapped up for its humorous streak and realistic treatment.

Despite a controversy over author Chetan Bhagat's claims for a prominent credit for the story, "3 Idiots" is what everyone wants to watch - again and again.

"I have watched the movie twice at the hall - once with my friends and once with my parents. And I can watch it over and over again. I have never enjoyed any movie so much," said Garima Mishra.

Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan said that the movie has earned huge profits even for the distributors.

"The movie is successfully running in a around 150 screens in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Distributors' share is also record breaking - the film has raked in Rs.1.46 crore for distributors at 52.5 percent only in its first week here. The second week is going as strong as the first and the distributor share is 45 percent. The distributor share in itself is expected to touch Rs.7 crore," he said.

Even in Mumbai, the movie is running in close to 100 theatres offering multiple shows per day. Apart from big cities, the film is also being appreciated in small towns. Click the Movie button below for more info:
3 Idiots