<I>Mughal-e-Azam</I> going strong in US : Bollywood News : ApunKaChoice.Com


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Mughal-e-Azam going strong in US
30th Apr 2005 19.01 IST
By Agencies

The winds of change and passage of time have failed to take the sheen off epic movie Mughal-e-Azam as it continues to enthrall both young and old in North America for the straight fourth week.

The timeless classic has so far raked in USD 153,420 since its release four weeks back, according to television company UTV, which also distributed Hrithik Roshan starrer Lakshya and Shah Rukh Khan 's Swades in North America.

Mughal-e-Azam has grossed USD 8,084 on limited 15 screens in its fourth weekend across North America despite fierce competition from new releases like Waqt and Lucky – No Time For Love .

Forty-four years after it took the Hindi film scene by storm, the newly restored and colourised film, with modified songs, surround sound and wide screen format, was released on 32 screens across North America on April 8 and had a wider release later with an additional 30 screens on April 15.

The coloured version has offered the audience a mesmerising experience with its grand sets depicting splendour of the Mughal court, rich costumes and jewellery, breathtaking battle scenes, poetic script, seductive songs and dances.

The opulent tale of timeless emotional struggle has quickly become a rage in and around Houston, attracting both young and old to the Bollywood Cinema 6 and West Bellfort. While old timers watched it out of nostalgia, the Gen X was curious.

"I don't know what to say, I don't know what to say. Boy, that was awesome," a spellbound American woman said in Houston.

"We screened it at the Writers Guild of American in Beverly Hills and the non-Indian attendees of all ages were mesmerized by the film. We are talking about people in late 20s and 30s, as well as ones in 50s and 60s. They were in for a treat and they enjoyed every single moment of it. I'm positive it will be embraced by the Western audiences," she added.

Lokesh Dhar, who handles the Business Development for UTV said, Mughal-e-Azam has left an impact on the sensibilities of every generation who has watched it. The movie has exposed youngsters to a cinema, which they had just heard about. For most the actual experience has exceeded their expectation."

According to a theatre owner in Houston, "We expected lukewarm approach to the movie, but it's been crazy! Surprisingly, even mainstream Americans fell in love with this story."

"This film is known throughout Indian Cinema as one of the greatest films," said Rohi Mirza Pandya, ImaginAsian Director, Theater Operations & Acquisitions.

Mughal-e-Azam was fully restored at a cost of more than USD one million, over the course of two years, using customized Indian colorisation technology - all under the careful direction of the film's original producers, Sterling Investments.