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Aishwarya Rai

'Jodhaa Akbar' storms box office worldwide
02nd Mar 2008 18.00 IST
By Agencies

Riding on the "cinematic magic" evoked by elaborate sets bringing alive on screen the grandeur and magnificence of the Mughal Era and brilliant performances by Bollywood heartthrobs Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan the period romance Jodhaa Akbar has stormed the box office, grossing Rs 74 crore worldwide within just ten days of its release.

Ronnie Screwala, head UTV Motion Pictures, the co-producers of the film, says 'Jodhaa Akbar', a sweet tale of romance between Mughal Emperor Akbar and his Rajput Queen Jodhabai, has grossed Rs 74 crore worldwide (approx $19 Million) the world over in just ten days since its release on February 15, a record for an Indian film.

''In India alone, 'Jodhaa Akbar' grossed Rs 52.70 crores, one of the biggest openings ever in Indian cinema,'' Screwala said.

The Ashutosh Gowarikar directed film, which released on February 15 to an unprecedented 1300 cinema halls in 26 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and West Asia, has earned excellent collections overseas.

'Jodhaa Akbar's' collections in the US in the first ten days are $2.5 million (Rs. 10 crores).

''The film's earnings in the US in just the first ten days have already made it one of the highest grossers of all time in the US market, Screwala said.

In the United Kingdom, the film figured among the top ten films in the first ten days, earning 700,000 UK Pounds (Rs. 5.60 crores).

In the Gulf countries, the film collected 800,000 US dollars (Rs 3.2 crores) in the first ten days, making it among the top 5 Indian films in terms of its gross collections.

In Australia, the film earned $286,906 (Rs 1.15 crores) in the first ten days and has already emerged as the second highest grosser of all time in the overseas market.

In the rest of the world, the film has earned 380,000 US Dollars (Rs, 1.5 crores) in the first ten days.

Siddharth Roy Kapur of UTV Motion Pictures says the collections of the film were remarkable especially considering the fact that it could not be released in Rajasthan, one of the key markets for this genre of movie.

The film's release in Rajasthan could not take place following protests by Rajput Karni Sena, calling for a ban on the film across the country for distorting history.

Screwala said UTV Motion Pictures were still in talks with various local groups to try and get the film released in the state, as interest levels among audiences were at fever pitch.

''Contrary to what the protests against the film in Rajasthan would indicate, 'Jodhaa Akbar' has evoked tremendous curiosity among people in Delhi. In fact, we are confident that the film, which has done excellent business the world over will get an overwhelming response from people in the state,'' he said.

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