The Indian Films-released comedy, "Golmaal Returns", fired up the Indian new-year weekend with outstanding grosses from 1, 050 locations worldwide.
The multi-starrer registered approx. $10 million at the box office within five days of its theatrical release on Wednesday 29th October 2008, emerging as the numero uno release of the Diwali season.
At the domestic (Indian) box office, "Golmaal" returned with a record-setting blast as it grossed approx. INR 45 cr., the biggest 5-day opening weekend ever.
In Pakistan, the long weekend produced an outstanding result of approx. 8.6 million Pakistani Rupees, breaking the record of the industry's top openers, "Singh Is Kinng" and "Kidnap", previously released by Indian Films.
In the UK & Ireland, just the opening surpassed the lifetime gross of Part 1 of the "Golmaal" series – approx. £0.2 million from 42 play-dates catapulted the title to the coveted UK Top 10 sharing ranks with Hollywood biggies as "Quantum of Solace", "High Street Musical 3", "Mamma Mia", "Ghost Town" and "Saw V".
In the Middle East, "Golmaal Returns" mopped up approx. 1.4 million Dhs. from 20 locations, while in the US & Canada it raked in approx. $0.20 million from 60 locations.
The figures from the principal markets above exclude takings from the day-and-date release in Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, Fiji Islands, Australia, New Zealand, East Africa and West Africa.
As Indian Films owns the rights of "Golmaal Returns" for 10 years, the monetization of existing and new platforms will additionally boost the bottom-line on the title.
The release of "Golmaal Returns" marks one year of Indian Films' dream run and dominance at the worldwide box-office with three historic industry grossers ("Jab We Met", "Welcome" and "Singh Is Kinng") and two landmark openers ("Kidnap", "Golmaal Returns".).
"On Golmaal Returns, we hit our number right on for the weekend. It was what we anticipated, " remarked Sandeep Bhargava, CEO of the advisory to Indian Films. "All the films from our stable have been received with enthusiasm by the audience and have consistently outperformed at the box office raising the bar for the industry to emulate."