Sanjay Leela Bhansali's directorial "Ram-leela" is doing exceptionally well at the overseas box office with its opening weekend collections overtaking Hrithik Roshan's "Krrish 3" and "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" (YJHD) starring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone.
Featuring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles, "Ram-leela" was released in nearly 3,000 screens in India and 500 screens abroad on Friday. It was made on an estimate budget of ₹35 crore.
"#RamLeela has overtaken #YJHD and #Krrish3 in Overseas. Opening weekend biz higher than opening weekend biz of those two biggies!" tweeted trade analyst and film critic Taran Adarsh. He added that its opening weekend in overseas is the highest for non-holiday period.
According to Taran Adarsh, "Ram-leela" earned ₹25.04 crore ($ 4 million) in the first weekend in overseas while "Krrish 3" collected ₹24.86 crore ($ 4 million) and "YJHD" ₹22.10 crore ($ 3.9 million) during the same period. He went on to say that the epic love story film will be release in 51 screens across Germany in the forthcoming week.
"Ram-leela" collected ₹16 crore at the domestic box office on the opening day, despite several shows being cancelled due to protests over its title and content. It went on to earn over ₹53 crore in the opening weekend, according the trade analyst.
The film was dogged by protests by some communities over its title and content. The makers of the film changed the title to "Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-leela" following an order by the Delhi High Court and a few controversial words were changed. Screening in a few theatres was cancelled due to protests despite the changes made in compliance with the demand of the protesters.
"Ram-Leela", an adaptation of William Shakespeare's epic love story "Romeo and Juliet", received rave reviews from critics ahead of its release.
VIDEO: Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone visit theatre
