Ek Tha.. may be biggest first-day grosser: analysts

Actors Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif’s Eid celebrations along with Yash Raj Films and director Kabir Khan couldn’t have been bigger.

Actors Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif’s Eid celebrations along with Yash Raj Films and director Kabir Khan couldn’t have been bigger. For the third time in a row (after Bodyguard and Dabangg), Salman’s Eid release has registered a bumper opening at the box office across centres. If trade estimates are anything to go by, the film is expected to enter the Rs. 100-crore club in less than seven days of release.

Salman-promoted-Ek-Tha-Tiger-in-Delhi-along-with-director-Kabir-Khan

“I think it will easily register between Rs. 30 and Rs. 40 crore on Day 1,” says film trade analyst Taran Adarsh, adding, “The first day collections can’t be given out right now [at the time of going to press] as the shows are still running into packed houses. In some places, police had to be called in to control crowds. But Ek Tha Tiger is on its way to become the highest first-day grosser in Bollywood. Agneepath’s record will be shattered.”

The film has opened in 3,300 screens across the country with heavy advance bookings. “80% of our first week shows were booked before the film opened,” said Manoj Desai of G7 single screens and Maratha Mandir cinema. Geerish from Cinemax, said, “We had sold almost 6,000 tickets between Saturday and Tuesday.”

Distributor Sanjay Ghai, from Delhi adds the final touch, “In 10 days the film should make at least Rs. 125 crore. If Yashraj gave distribution rights, people would have bought this film for any price.”