It is on its way to setting a new benchmark for Hindi films in China where it was released on 3rd April under the title - The Piano Player. Produced by Sanjay Routray's Matchbox Pictures, the film starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu and Radhika Apte among others, has earned more than a whopping Rs. 200 crores in this overseas market, in just 13 days and is running to packed houses there. It is now in the top 10 list of all time non-Hollywood, non-Chinese films in this market!
Industry Trade observers are of the view that this film may well cross the 300 cr mark in this market in the coming days proving that strong content resonates with audiences cutting across language and cultural boundaries.
While its successful China run continues, the icing on the cake came when the film got a standing ovation as the opening film at the prestigious Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) on Thursday night in the presence of the leading lady Tabu, director Sriram Raghavan and producer Sanjay Routray.
Producer Sanjay Routray, who helms Matchbox Pictures, says: `This April has been especially exciting for all of us at Matchbox Pictures! On the one hand, our film, Andhadhun has raked in 200cr collection on the Chinese Box Office within 13 days of its release and still going strong; and on the other hand it received a standing ovation as the opening film at the prestigious Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) on Thursday night. It was an honour to be at this screening along with Sriram and Tabu. We are overjoyed that his vision and our film is being celebrated across the world now.`
Earlier talking about the film's successful China release, Director Sriram Raghavan had said , `What can I say? We had no idea that our little 'experimental film' would travel so much. Experimental doesn't mean- no fun. The film I learn is screening in both subtitled and dubbed versions in different screens. My whole team is super thrilled.`
Earlier last year Andhadhun emerged as a runaway success on Indian Box office winning high critical acclaim and big audience applause with many rating it as the Best film of 2018. This genre defining, gripping thriller with unpredictable twists and turns and a climax that blew everyone's mind, ran for more than 75 days in Indian theatres after its release.
No surprise that it emerged as the highest-rated Indian film of 2018 on IMDb.
Andhadhun has been winning top honours at different Award shows, including Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film, Best Actor (Ayushmann Khurrana), Best Editing and Best Screenplay. At Star Screen Awards, it won Best Director for Sriram Raghavan, Best Editing and Best Writing.
A toast of Indian film awards and a favourite of Indian filmgoers from 2018, Andhadhun has set a new milestone with its massive run in China in 2019 and with the accolades at IFFLA.