‘Swades’ – The Verdict!

The verdict is out: SWADES has not found acceptance in Overseas. And the facts and figures prove it!

Shah Rukh Khan is the undisputed Emperor of Overseas. And a majority of SRK starrers have done phenomenal business in this territory. His last release, VEER-ZAARA, has emerged a blockbuster in both U.K. and U.S. markets, cementing his position further.

However, SRK's latest release, SWADES, has fared way below expectations. In fact, the below-the-mark performance of SWADES does come as a surprise since it has Ashutosh Gowariker in the driver's seat. His previous film [LAGAAN] was nominated for the Academy Awards and everyone was expecting SWADES to take a historic start in Overseas.

But…

U.K. BOX-OFFICE

• SWADES has debuted at No. 10 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 96,842 [approx. Rs. 82.54 lacs] on 34 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 2,848. The screen average [read chart below] is the lowest for an SRK starrer

SRK STARRERS IN U.K. - OPENING WEEKEND ONLY

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

• VEER-ZAARA [last weekend: No. 10, this weekend: No. 15] is rock-steady, despite another SRK starrer opening this week. In its sixth weekend, the film has collected £ 42,572 on 25 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,703. The total so far has been £ 1,844,806 [approx. Rs. 15.72 crores].





• MUSAFIR [last weekend: No. 18, this weekend: No. 22] takes a dip. In its second weekend, the film has collected £ 15,991 on 11 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,454. The total so far has been £ 78,479 [approx. Rs. 66.90 lacs].





• HULCHUL [last weekend: No. 21, this weekend: No. 23] is steady on the lower side. In its fourth weekend, the film has collected £ 13,211 on 12 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,101. The total so far has been £ 165,591 [approx. Rs. 1.41 crores].





• AITRAAZ [last weekend: No. 28, this weekend: No. 34] slides downwards. In its sixth weekend, the film has collected £ 3,333 on 6 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 556. The total so far has been £ 233,561 [approx. Rs. 1.99 crores].





• BRIDE AND PREJUDICE [last weekend: No. 39, this weekend: No. 45] slides further. In its eleventh weekend, the film has collected £ 1,294 on 4 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 324. The total so far has been £ 5,161,979 [approx. Rs. 43.99 crores].

AT A GLANCE - SCREEN AVERAGES - U.K.

1. SWADES £ 2,848

2. VEER-ZAARA £ 1,703

3. MUSAFIR £ 1,454

4. HULCHUL £ 1,101

5. AITRAAZ £ 556

6. BRIDE AND PREJUDICE £ 324

U.S.A. BOX-OFFICE

• SWADES has debuted on No. 18 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected $ 424,804 [approx. Rs. 1.86 crores] on 74 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 5,741.

Now let's compare the opening weekend figures of SWADES with the other SRK starrers released in U.S.A. this year:-

SRK STARRERS IN U.S.A. - OPENING WEEKEND ONLY

2004

• VEER-ZAARA [last weekend: No. 29, this weekend: No. 47] is holding on well. In its sixth weekend, the film has collected $ 34,784 on 21 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 1,656. The total so far has been $ 2,827,985 [approx. Rs. 12.38 crores].

AUSTRALIA BOX-OFFICE

• SWADES has debuted at No. 16 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected Australia $ 56,030 [approx. Rs. 18.72 lacs] on 8 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 7,004