As expected, VEER-ZAARA has taken a flying start in Overseas. The film has had the best opening for a Bollywood film in 2004, in both U.S. and U.K. markets. A detailed chart of 2004 releases in U.K. and U.S.A. will be put up in days to come.
As for AITRAAZ, the film is enjoying positive reports and should consolidate its status in the next few days, hopefully. The third major release, NAACH, has been rejected outright, recording a lower opening than even GAYAB in U.K. [GAYAB had collected £ 4,668 on 5 screens; average: £ 934].
The verdict is loud and clear: VEER-ZAARA has emerged a big hit!
U.K. BOX-OFFICE
- VEER-ZAARA has debuted at No. 4 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 484,993 [approx. Rs. 4.03 crores] on 60 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 8,083. Outstanding!
In terms of screen average, VEER-ZAARA occupies the No. 2 spot, with BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON occupying the No. 1 position.
Note:- VEER-ZAARA has had to face as many as 12 new releases this weekend [BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON, LADIES IN LAVENDER, ANACONDAS, SHAOLIN SOCCER, TOOLBOX MURDERS, A WAY OF LIFE, RECONSTRUCTION, THE HILLSIDE STRANGLER, NOBODY KNOWS, ANGEL ON THE RIGHT, UNCOVERED: THE WAR ON IRAQ and RADIO ON] in U.K. Yet, despite stiff opposition, the collections of the film are astonishing.
- AITRAAZ has debuted at No. 18 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 55,837 [approx. Rs. 46.42 lacs] on 21 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 2,659.
- NAACH has debuted at No. 37 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 4,300 [approx. Rs. 3.57 lacs] on 6 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 717. Poor!
- BRIDE AND PREJUDICE [last weekend: No. 15, this weekend: No. 21] crosses the £ 5 million mark. In its sixth weekend, the film has collected £ 43,104 on 46 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 937. The total so far has been £ 5,092,106 [approx. Rs. 42.30 crores].
AT A GLANCE - SCREEN AVERAGES - U.K.
- 1. VEER-ZAARA £ 8,083
2. AITRAAZ £ 2,659
3. BRIDE AND PREJUDICE £ 937
4. NAACH £ 717
U.S.A. BOX-OFFICE
- VEER-ZAARA has debuted at No. 15 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected $ 903,010 [approx. Rs. 4.06 crores] on 88 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 10,261.
- In New York, the film has debuted at No. 16 position, collecting $ 51,474 on 3 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 17,158.
Note:- VEER-ZAARA has had to face as many as 9 new releases this weekend [THE POLAR EXPRESS, AFTER THE SUNSET, SEED OF CHUCKY, BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON, FINDING NEVERLAND, KINSEY, LA PETITE LILI, BRIGHT FUTURE and WHO KILLED BAMBI?] in U.S.A. Despite severe opposition, the collections of the film are extra-ordinary.
