Despite all controversies and hurdles, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat has managed to break records and crossed the Rs 100-crore mark at the box office in its opening weekend.
According to Viacom18 Motion Pictures, one of the banners behind the period drama, “Padmaavat” made a total of Rs 114-crore by January 28 after releasing on January 25 across 4,000 screens in India.
It hit the screens a day before the Republic Day holiday, but paid previews on January 24 had given its earnings a jump-start of Rs 5 crore. This was followed by Rs 19 crore on January 25, Rs 32 crore on January 26 and Rs 27 crore on January 27 and Rs 31 crore on January 28.
Bollywood leading trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted: “Protests… Disturbances… No screening in few states… Yet, ‘Padmaavat’ does excellent business in its extended weekend. The film lost out on substantial business (approximately Rs 35 crore to Rs 37 crore), but the superb trending in other circuits helped put up a majestic total.”
Looking at the overall scenario, #Padmaavat has put up FANTASTIC numbers in its extended weekend… Crosses ₹ 100 cr mark… Wed [limited previews] 5 cr, Thu 19 cr, Fri 32 cr, Sat 27 cr, Sun 31 cr. Total: ₹ 114 cr. India biz. 👍👍👍
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 29, 2018
‘Padmaavat’, based on 16th-century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s poem “Padmavat”, was caught in a row after protests from Shri Rajput Karni Sena which contended that the film distorted the historical facts and dented the pride of the Rajput community.
As a result of the ensuing violence, the movie did not release in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh as well as in some theatres across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
It has received mixed reviews, with some appreciating the movie for its visual brilliance and impeccable performances, while some slamming it for glorifying the practice of Jauhar (self-immolation) and for showcasing Alauddin Khilji as demon-like.
Padmaavat is Deepika’s seventh film to cross Rs 100 cr mark while for Ranveer it is his third film to mark in Rs 100 crore club.
Deepika has emerged the undisputed Queen of ₹ 100 cr Club… #Padmaavat is @deepikapadukone’s seventh film to cross ₹ 100 cr mark [#ChennaiExpress, #HNY, #YJHD, #BajiraoMastani, #RamLeela, #Race2]… The HIGHEST by any leading lady… An enviable track record!
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 29, 2018
#Padmaavat is @RanveerOfficial’s third film to cross ₹ 100 cr mark [#RamLeela, #BajiraoMastani]… Incidentally, all three were helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali… At the speed it’s racing, #Padmaavat may turn out to be Ranveer’s HIGHEST GROSSER, surpassing #BajiraoMastani.
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 29, 2018
Deepika, who is also being lauded for her brilliant performance, said that this role was the most difficult in her decade-long career. “This role of a queen had no crutches like she doesn’t have a sword, she doesn’t get on a horse or go on the battlefield, but there is sheer inner strength and resilience which I had to show through my eyes.”
Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh also said that this role was a challenging one since he has never essayed the role of an anti-hero before. However, he was extremely happy that his gamble paid off and “such validation also gives me the confidence to take bigger risks, challenge stereotypes and push the envelope further.”
Shahid Kapoor said that he took up the role after placing blind trust in Bhansali and the film left him “deeply satisfied.”
The film’s cast — Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor — are on a high after receiving positive reviews.
#Padmaavat is SENSATIONAL in key international markets… USA-Canada will be updated later…
AUSTRALIA
Weekend: A$ 1,728,642 [₹ 8.88 cr]UK
Weekend: £ 846,024 [₹ 7.59 cr]
Note: Some locations yet to be updated.NEW ZEALAND & FIJI
Weekend: NZ$ 419,161 [₹ 1.95 cr]@Rentrak— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 29, 2018
“Padmaavat” is even doing well in the US as well as in Pakistan. However, in Malaysia, the film has reportedly been barred from release over “sensitivities of Islam”.