'Race' storms international markets

RACE has fetched a thunderous start in the international markets. In its 4-day weekend in U.K., the film has surpassed Saif Ali Khan's previous big openers like TA RA RUM PUM [£ 231,835], EKLAVYA [£ 163,783] and SALAAM | NAMASTE [£ 208,365]. KAL HO NAA HO had collected £ 436,790 in its opening 3-day weekend. RACE is also Akshaye Khanna's biggest opener to date, having crossed SALAAM-E-ISHQ [£ 293,809] by a comfortable margin. For Anil Kapoor too, it is his biggest opener ever, having crossed WELCOME [£ 369,321] and SALAAM-E-ISHQ [£ 293,809], both multi-starrers. In the U.S. too, RACE is off to a staggering start, nearing the $ 1 million mark in its first 3 days. It has had a fantastic first weekend in Australia as well… Meanwhile, JODHAA AKBAR has crossed £ 1 million mark in U.K.

U.K. BOX-OFFICE
Note: 4-day weekend: March 21 - 24, 2008.

* RACE has debuted at No. 10 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 457,303 [approx. Rs. 3.66 crores] on 46 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 9,941. Includes Thursday previews. Tuesday collections: £ 42,966. Total so far: £ 498,924


* JODHAA AKBAR [last weekend: No. 26, this weekend: No. 31]: In its sixth weekend, the film has collected £ 13,036 on 7 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,862. Total: £ 1,001,460 [approx. Rs. 8 crores].


* BLACK & WHITE [last weekend: No. 38, this weekend: No. 70]: In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 1,466 on 10 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 147. Total: £ 50,706 [approx. Rs. 40.51 lacs].

THIS WEEKEND IN U.K.
[Based on screen averages]

RANK: 1 | FILM: Race | Average: £ 9,941
RANK: 2 | FILM: Jodha Akbar | Average: £ 1,862
RANK: 3 | FILM: Black & White | Average: £ 147


U.S.A. BOX-OFFICE
Note: 3-day weekend: March 21 - 23, 2008.

* RACE has debuted at No. 18 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected $ 802,254 [approx. Rs. 3.22 crores] on 96 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 8,357.


* JODHAA AKBAR [last weekend: No. 44, this weekend: No. 51]: In its sixth weekend, the film has collected $ 42,606 on 20 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 2,130. Total: $ 3,397,218 [approx. Rs. 13.63 crores].

AUSTRALIA BOX-OFFICE
4-day weekend: March 20 - 23, 2008.

* In its opening weekend [No. 15], RACE has collected $ 167,970 [approx. Rs. 67.47 lacs] on 14 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 11,998.

Taran Adarsh