Actress Deepika Padukone, who was threatened with beheading over her latest film Padmaavat, is happy and proud as the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial has made Rs560 million (Dh32.27 million) net in India in three days.
Padmaavat registered Rs50 million net on Wednesday (paid previews), Rs190 million net on opening day on Thursday and Rs320 million net on Friday, according to producers Bhansali Productions and Viacom18 Motion Pictures.
“I cannot even begin to express how happy and proud this makes me feel! Thank you for all the love,” Padukone, who has delivered blockbusters like Om Shanti Om, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and Piku, tweeted on Saturday.
Trade analyst Komal Nahta found the figures to be “stupendous considering that the film has not opened in 35 per cent of India”.
“The film is destined to be a big hit. If normalcy returns soon in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the film can cross Rs3 billion in India. If the film doesn’t release in the three or four states where it is banned, it will remain at Rs2.4 billion or Rs2.5 billion,” he added.
Earlier, Padukone had said that she is not someone who has ever been excited so much about box office numbers but “I have to say that this time I am. I think it’s going to be earth shattering”.
The magnum opus, based on 16th century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s Padmavat, also stars Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor.
The film, produced by Sudhanshu Vats, Ajit Andhare and Bhansali, released on Thursday, ahead of Indian Republic Day, amid protests from members of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, who claimed the movie distorted facts.
Andhare tweeted: “Padmaavat overseas beats Tiger Zinda Hai and Dangal in the US, New Zealand and Germany ... beats Baahubali in Australia. Beats in million of hearts across the world, when will it beat in Gujarat?”
Talking about the mixed reviews, trade analyst Atul Mohan said: “Reviewers should keep in mind the difficulties that Sanjay Leela Bhansali went through while making the film. Under such tremendous pressure, he made the film, so critics should give it to him for that. However, I think common people would watch the film at least once, if not for anything else, at least for the visual experience.”
