Cinemax India president - sales, marketing and operations Devang Sampat said, "The opening of Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai was excellent, it opened at around 80 per cent and is still growing. In places like Gujarat and Nasik, the occupancy was 100 per cent"
Inox Leisure associate vice president Rajender Singh Jyala said, "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai opened very well, with some of the morning shows even running full"
Seen through the eyes of a police officer, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI traces the changing face of the Mumbai underworld. The film, set primarily in 1970 Mumbai, follows the rise of Sultan (Ajay Devgn), and his eventual fall, when his protégé Shoaib (Emraan Hashmi), challenges his supremacy, and usurps power to rule the murky underbelly of Mumbai.
The film was also well appreciated by critics with renowned film critic/trade analyst Taran Adarsh stating "Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai is an extremely well-made film that lingers in your memory.
The realism coupled with stellar direction, power-packed writing, exceptional performances and ear-pleasing tunes are its trump cards. An outstanding cinematic experience."
Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai -a super-entertaining rewind to the era of romance, smuggling, cabaret and the mafia also had the industry tweeting about the film.
Award winning director Madhur Bhandarkar tweeted, "Saw Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. Is a great cinematic experience of 80s era Ajay Devgn and Emran Hashmi's performances rock. After a long time full claptrap, total paisa vasool, more power to Ekta Kapoor and Milan Lutharia."
Says an elated Ekta Kapoor "I'm very happy with the response the film has received.The collections have been outstanding and all our hard work on the movie has borne fruit"
Balaji and Milan Luthria's ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI released worldwide on the 29th July 2010