B.O. update: 'Race' takes fantastic start

The much-awaited RACE has opened to a fantastic response [90% +] across the nation. The film has had an extensive release in India [1300 screens, of which 450 are digitals], with some multiplexes playing as many as 24 shows a day [Cinemax Versova in Mumbai].

Saturday is a holiday [Holi] and Sunday being a holiday, the first weekend is expected to be huge. The reports are extremely positive and one expects the business on weekdays to be strong as well. With such strong business on hand, the film is expected to emerge a major success story in days to come.

Meanwhile, UTV organized the paid previews in India on Thursday night and the response was fabulous everywhere. Paid previews were also held in U.K. and the collections were £ 34,283 on 33 screens.

In the meantime, the first hit of 2008, JODHAA AKBAR, is nearing the £ 1 million mark in U.K. The total has reached £ 988,424 till Thursday night.

Taran Adarsh