December seems to be a lucky month for Bollywood star Aamir Khan. The actor's "3 Idiots", which released Friday, has got rave reviews and is going strong at the box office. It repeats the success of his previous hits - "Taare Zameen Par" and "Ghajini" that were released during the same time in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

Reliance BIG Entertainment, which is the distributor of "3 Idiots", released the movie with about 2, 000 prints and it has already earned about Rs.4 crore through paid previews.

"The response has been overwhelming. We had our first show Thursday at 6 p.m. and, despite the cricket match, the occupancy was great. The film has earned approximately Rs.4 crore through paid previews, " Kamal Gianchandani, head of domestic distribution of Reliance BIG Pictures, told over phone from Mumbai.

Aamir's directorial debut "Taare Zameen Par", released on Dec 21 in 2007, hit the jackpot. It was the story of an eight-year-old child who suffers greatly until a teacher identifies him as dyslexic and helps him.

While child star Darsheel Safary tugged at the audiences' hearts as a dyslexic child, Aamir too impressed as an actor and director. According to reports, the film earned Rs.37 crore.

It was followed by his superhit "Ghajini". Released on Dec 25, 2008, it was an action-thriller about a rich businessman who suffers from short-term memory loss following a violent encounter in which his love interest is killed.

A remake of a Tamil film with the same name, it created history by taking over the mantle of the biggest domestic earner so far, leaving behind "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge". It earned Rs.2 billion ($41 million) in less than two weeks.

If Aamir's "Taare Zameen Par" and "Ghajini" set the cash registers ringing, his "3 Idiots" also seems to be treading the same success path.

Aamir, however, had denied any superstition about releasing his films in December.

"I hope to be third time lucky with '3 Idiots', but the release date is more of a coincidence than a planned move. I am not superstitious. 'Ghajini' was supposed to be an October release, but it had to be postponed to December because I was injured, " Aamir had said before the film's release.

"3 Idiots" criticises the glaring anomalies in our education system but it doesn't become too preachy. Critics and audiences have lauded Aamir's transformation into a 22-year-old college student as well as director Rajkumar Hirani for puting forth a message in an entertaining format.

"The best thing about the film is that it gives a social message in a very subtle manner. It makes parents realise that they should never force their children as far as their profession likings are concerned. Aamir has done a great job. Even though he is above 40 years, he looks completely convincing as a 22-year-old, " said Aarti Saxena, a film buff.

Said Ajitesh Raina, a student: "The film is high on humour and that's the best part. Everyone's comic timing is great. while Aamir's work is commendable, Boman Irani has also portrayed his character to the fullest."

Made by the "Munnabhai" fame director, "3 Idiots" also stars Sharman Joshi, Kareena Kapoor and R. Madhavan. Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra has reportedly spent Rs.35 crore on the film, which is doing well in big cities.

"The film is meant for metropolitan cities and that's why it is doing well in bigger cities. But in tier II and III cities the collections are not very promising. This is unlike the case with 'Ghajini', which did extremely well even in smaller cities. Let's see what happens in the smaller cities, " said Joginder Mahajan, a Delhi-based distributor.