The results are out: Mani Ratnam’s GURU has stormed the U.S. charts, registering fantastic collections in its opening weekend. In its 4-day Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, the film has fetched a screen average of $ 11,876, which is at par with the biggest openers of 2006 [see comparisons below].
In U.K., GURU picked up considerably after a slow start [3-day total: £ 155,012]. The breakdown is as follows: Friday £ 38,148, Saturday £ 63,742 and Sunday £ 53,122. Meanwhile, the film received a standing ovation at Cineworld Staples Corner, London on Saturday, 13th January, which is a rarity as far as Hindi films are concerned.
Another interesting point is that GURU has been released in three mainstream English cinema chains in U.K.: Cineworld, VUE and Odeon. And the best part is that the shows have been increased at one of the chains due to the overwhelming response in its first weekend.
In Australia too, GURU has taken one of the best starts ever for a Hindi film.
U.K. BOX-OFFICE
[3-day weekend: January 12 – 14, 2007]
- GURU has debuted at No. 15 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 155,012 [approx. Rs. 1.35 crores] on 44 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 3,523.
- POKIRI [Tamil] has debuted at No. 21 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 22,318 [approx. Rs. 19.39 lacs] on 3 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 7,439.
- AALWAR [Tamil] has debuted at No. 29 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 9,868 [approx. Rs. 8.57 lacs] on 2 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 4,934.
- BHAGAM BHAG [last weekend: No. 18, this weekend: No. 31]: In its fourth weekend, the film has collected £ 8,149 on 10 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 815. Total: £ 481,744 [approx. Rs. 4.18 crores].
- BAABUL [last weekend: No. 21, this weekend: No. 40]: In its sixth weekend, the film has collected £ 4,743 on 10 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 474. Total: £ 931,717 [approx. Rs. 8.09 crores].
- DHOOM 2 [last weekend: No. 44, this weekend: No. 54]: In its eighth weekend, the film has collected £ 1,030 on 1 screen. Total: £ 1,170,758 [approx. Rs. 10.16 crores].
- I SEE YOU [last weekend: No. 39, this weekend: No. 59]: In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 648 on 3 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 216. Total: £ 22,979 [approx. Rs. 19.95 lacs].
- KABUL EXPRESS [last weekend: No. 41, this weekend: No. 63]: In its fifth weekend, the film has collected £ 476 on 3 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 159. Total: £ 112,391 [approx. Rs. 97.56 lacs].
THIS WEEKEND IN U.K.
[Based on screen averages]
| RANK | FILM | AVERAGE |
| 1 | POKIRI [Tamil] | £ 7,439 |
| 2 | AALWAR [Tamil] | £ 4,934 |
| 3 | GURU | £ 3,523 |
| 4 | DHOOM 2 | £ 1,030 |
| 5 | BHAGAM BHAG | £ 815 |
| 6 | BAABUL | £ 474 |
| 7 | I SEE YOU | £ 216 |
| 8 | KABUL EXPRESS | £ 159 |
U.S.A. BOX-OFFICE
[4-day weekend: January 12 – 15, 2007]
- GURU has debuted at No. 27 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected $ 843,200 [approx. Rs. 3.73 crores] on 71 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 11,876.
Note:- In terms of comparisons, the opening screen average is slightly lower than FANAA [also 4-day: $ 878,938, average: $ 12,207], but better than the biggie VEER-ZAARA [$ 903,010; average: $ 10,261], DON [$ 804,388; average: 7,118] and RANG DE BASANTI [$ 701,666; average: 11,502].
AUSTRALIA BOX-OFFICE
[4-day weekend: January 11 – 14, 2007]
- In its opening weekend [No. 18], GURU has collected approx. Australia $ 98,731 [approx. Rs. 34.27 lacs] on 10 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 9,873.
