SS Rajamouli`s `Baahubali` shows its might at the ticket windows, records highest opening for dubbed film

The audience response to SS Rajamouli`s war-drama `Baahubali`, which released last week, has been as tremendous as the scale it was made on. Parallelly released in four languages, the Hindi version of the Rs 250-crore magnum opus has collected Rs 22.35 crore so far with Rs 5.15 crore coming in on the first day itself - the highest opening for a dubbed film in Hindi. Prior to this, the record belonged to Rajinikanth-starrer `Robot` at Rs 2.2 crore.

Trade expert Taran Adarsh says, "`Baahubali` in its Hindi version had an incredible weekend. Earlier, there was a popular perception that a dubbed film does not work beyond a particular region. But `Baahubali` has shattered that myth with its phenomenal collection within the first three days of release."

The Tamil and Telugu versions of this film are said to have made their presence felt in foreign markets too, especially in the US and Canada.

On the other hand, `I Love NY`, a much-delayed film starring Sunny Deol and Kangana Ranaut, has fared miserably at the ticket counters. It is running barely one or two shows a day on 500-700 screens across India and has collected just about Rs 1.45 crore so far. "The film failed to encash on Kangana`s newfound super stardom while `Baahubali` has done extraordinary business for a dubbed movie and its all-India figures have crossed the Rs 150-crore mark," states trade analyst Amod Mehra.

Trade sources say `I Love NY` will not be able to survive at the box-office for more than a week. "It may eventually just recover its prints and advertising costs of around Rs 15 crore from its theatrical business and sale of satellite rights," a source says.

BO stats
Rs 22.35 crore

`Baahubali` (Hindi) (opening weekend)
Rs 2.43 crore

`Guddu Rangeela` (week two; Overall: Rs 8.25 crore) aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vZW1iZWQvWXFvR1VUZXhMYzA=