Amidst large scale protests by Hindu right-wing groups against 'pk', the Aamir Khan film continues to dominate the box office even in its third week. And get this: it has earned the distinction of becoming the first Bollywood film to touch Rs 300 crore in domestic collections.
Trade sources say Aamir's 'Ghajini' (2008) was the first film to enter the Rs 100 crore league while his '3 Idiots' (2009) set the Rs 200 crore record.
Exhibitor Rajesh Thadani says, "He has been creating and breaking his own records at the box office. pk's record will, perhaps, be broken by one of his films only. Controversies involving 'pk' fuelled its box office collections."
Trade analyst Amod Mehra adds that 'pk' has a string of records to its credit other than the Rs 300-crore feat - it recorded the highest weekend collections in the third week by grossing nearly Rs 25 crore. Last Friday's films - 'Take It Easy' and 'Mumbai Can Dance Saala' - have not even crossed the Rs 25-lakh mark. 'Ugly', which released the week before, has grossed nearly Rs 3.5 crore.
Vishal Anand of Fun Cinemas says, "Aamir's films have been a saving grace since the last three years. The number of shows for 'pk' has not been reduced even though it is into its third week. 'Ugly' has not really raked in the moolah, but the few people who saw it have liked it. This week, Tevar is releasing and we hope the jinx about a 'dull, first week of January' will be broken.''
