Released in a good number of screens [34] in U.K., the keenly anticipated 36 CHINA TOWN has performed below expectations. Ideally, with a 30 + screen count and a solo release in its favor, this biggie should've grossed anywhere between £ 125,000 and £ 150,000 in its first 3 days. A comparative chart of 2006 releases [30 + screen count] below clearly indicates that 36 CHINA TOWN hasn't had the desired results.
Meanwhile, WATER continues to rock the box-office charts of U.S.A. and Australia. Fox Searchlight, the U.S. distributors of the film, has gradually increased the screens [Weekend 1: 5 screens; Weekend 2: 36 screens] and the film has lived up to the confidence by drawing impressive numbers. In Australia, WATER is heading towards Aus. $ 1 million mark, which says it all.
Weekend: May 5 - 7, 2006.
U.K. BOX-OFFICE
- 36 CHINA TOWN has debuted at No. 11 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 83,040 [approx. Rs. 69.07 lacs] on 34 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 2,442.
WIDE RELEASES IN U.K. - 2006
[30 + Screens In Opening Weekend]
| FILM | OPENING WEEKEND [£] | SCREENS | AVERAGE [£] |
| Family - Ties Of Blood | 46,778 | 31 | 1,509 |
| Rang De Basanti | 221,226 | 38 | 5,822 |
| Mere Jeevan Saathi | 112,246 | 35 | 3,207 |
| Humko Deewana Kar Gaye | 174,934 | 38 | 4,604 |
| The Mistress Of Spices | 85,563 | 56 | 1,528 |
| 36 China Town | 83,040 | 34 | 2,442 |
ABBAS-MUSTAN MOVIES IN U.K.
| FILM | OPENING WEEKEND [£] | SCREENS | AVERAGE [£] |
| 36 China Town | 83,040 | 34 | 2,442 |
| Aitraaz | 55,837 | 21 | 2,659 |
| Taarzan - The Wonder Car | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Humraaz | 47,095 | 24 | 1,962 |
| Ajnabee | 62,851 | 17 | 3,697 |
| Chori Chori Chupke Chupke | - | - | Total: 548,398 |
| Baadshah | 97,236 | 23 | 4,228 |
SUBHASH GHAI MOVIES IN U.K.
| FILM | OPENING WEEKEND [£] | SCREENS | AVERAGE [£] |
| 36 China Town [producer] | 83,040 | 34 | 2,442 |
| Shaadi Se Pehle [producer] | 47,389 | 19 | 2,494 |
| Iqbal [producer] | 7,373 | 23 | 321 |
| Kisna [director] | 100,709 | 33 | 3,052 |
| Aitraaz [producer] | 55,837 | 21 | 2,659 |
| Joggers Park [producer] | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Ek Aur Ek Gyarah [producer] | 36,470 | 16 | 2,279 |
| Yaadein [director] | 133,145 | 18 | 7,396 |
| Rahul [producer] | - | - | Total: 34,681 |
| Taal [director] | 101,590 | 25 | 4,064 |
- THE MISTRESS OF SPICES [last weekend: No. 15, this weekend: No. 24]: In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 13,641 on 25 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 546. Total: £ 228,949 [approx. Rs. 1.90 crores].
- HUMKO DEEWANA KAR GAYE [last weekend: No. 17, this weekend: No. 25]: In its fourth weekend, the film has collected £ 13,482 on 24 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 562. Total: £ 460,393 [approx. Rs. 3.83 crores].
- DARNA ZAROORI HAI [last weekend: No. 19, this weekend: No. 46]: In its second weekend, the film has collected £ 4,353 on 10 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 435. Total: £ 56,611 [approx. Rs. 47.09 lacs].
- PYARE MOHAN [last weekend: No. 32, this weekend: No. 57]: In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 2,254 on 5 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 451. Total: £ 63,279 [approx. Rs. 52.63 lacs].
THIS WEEKEND IN U.K.
[Based on screen averages]
| RANK | FILM | AVERAGE |
| 1 | 36 CHINA TOWN | £ 2,442 |
| 2 | HUMKO DEEWANA KAR GAYE | £ 562 |
| 3 | THE MISTRESS OF SPICES | £ 546 |
| 4 | PYARE MOHAN | £ 451 |
| 5 | DARNA ZAROORI HAI | £ 435 |
U.S.A. BOX-OFFICE
- WATER [last weekend: No. 42, this weekend: No. 24]: In its second weekend, the film has collected $ 174,727 on 36 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 4,854. Total: $ 256,790 [approx. Rs. 1.15 crores].
- HUMKO DEEWANA KAR GAYE [last weekend: No. 53, this weekend: No. 80]: In its fourth weekend, the film has collected $ 7,345 on 13 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 565. Total: $ 244,226 [approx. Rs. 1.09 crores].
NEW YORK CITY BOX-OFFICE
- WATER [last weekend: No. 17, this weekend: No. 16]: In its second weekend, the film has collected $ 58,298 on 9 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 6,478. New York total: $ 108,660.
AUSTRALIA BOX-OFFICE
[4-day weekend: May 4 - 7, 2006]
- WATER [last weekend: No. 18, this weekend: No. 18]: In its fourth weekend, the film has collected Australia $ 81,656 on 16 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 5,104. Total: Australia $ 742,634 [approx. Rs. 2.56 crores].
