'OSO' a 'box-office hit' in Berlin Film Fest

The premiere of Hindi blockbuster "Om Shanti Om" was one of the most popular events of the 58th Berlin International Film Festival, which concludes here tonight with the awarding of the golden and silver bears for the best films in the competition section.

Berlinale sources told reporters that in terms of ticket sales, "Om Shanti Om" featuring superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the leading role was the 'box-office hit' of the 11-day festival.

No other films in the festival's 13 main sections had generated so much public interest as the premiere of the Farah Khan-directed film, they said.

Tickets for the four screenings it had in the Berlinale Special Programme were sold out within minutes after their sales were opened on the internet and many film fans spent overnight at the ticket counters to be the first to snatch the most sought-after tickets of the festival.

Some tickets were later offered for sales on the internet for prices exceeding ten to 12 times the original price.

Shah Rukh drew larger crowds than Hollywood celebrities like pop diva Madonna, director Martin Scorsese, film stars Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz or the Rolling Stones band when he visited Berlin to attend the German premiere, participants and festival organisers said.

Shah Rukh's Red Chillies Entertainment produced the movie for Indian film financing and distribution firm Eros Entertainment.

Sahara Samay