'Krishnashtami' US box office collection: Sunil film fails to beat KVPG in first weekend

Sunil's much-hyped film "Krishnashtami" has done poor bsuiness at the US box office in its first weekend, and has failed to get a big break for the comedian-turned-hero there.

"Krishnashtami" was released in over 75 cinema halls across North America and has the biggest screen count for a Telugu film featuring Sunil in the lead. Trade experts had predicted the movie would do well at the US box office in the first weekend and top the business chart for Telugu films, pushing "Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gadha" (KVPG) to the second spot.

The Sunil, Dimple Chopade and Nikki Galrani-starrer opened to lukewarm response Friday and failed to show improvement in its business the next few days. "Krishnashtami" collected $23,382 (Rs 16.04 lakh) at the US box office in its first weekend. Its per-screen average stands at $311. The film has failed to halt the business of the Nani-starrer, which is has once again topped the chart.

Sunil debuted as a hero with the movie "Andala Ramudu" in 2006, but it was his 2010 film "Maryada Ramanna" that gave him a big break in the Andhra Pradesh box office. Ever since, he has tried his best to expand his fan base in North America, but has ended up disappointing film-goers with each of his efforts.

His 2013 film "Mr Pellikoduku" was released in over 50 screens in the country. It collected $12,666 at the US box office in its first weekend, with a per-screen average of $253. His 2014 film "Bhimavaram Bullodu" got good response in a limited number of screens, collecting $10,497 from 18 screens in the country in its opening weekend with a per-screen average of $583.