Director Jon Favreau's American fantasy drama "The Jungle Book" has opened on a phenomenal note in India. The film, which released in India a week before the U.S. and U.K. screenings, has shattered Bollywood film's record to register the second highest opening of 2016.
Walt Disney's "The Jungle Book" earned Rs. 10.09 crore on its opening day from the Indian box office and this is the second highest, after Akshay Kumar's "Airlift."
"#TheJungleBook *updated numbers* Fri ₹ 10.09 cr nett. India biz. FANTABULOUS!" trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted.
"#TheJungleBook takes an AWESOME start. Audience feedback is SUPER! Fri ₹ 9.76 cr nett. India biz," trade analyst Adarsh tweeted, adding: "What's INCREDIBLE is that #TheJungleBook is 2nd HIGHEST OPENER of 2016 *so far*, after #Airlift. Surpassing Bollywood + Hollywood biggies!"
The fantasy drama, which introduces 12-year-old Neel Sethi as Mowgli, has left behind Bollywood movies like, "Ki and Ka," "Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3" and "Ghayal Once Again" and Hollywood movie "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice" to become the second highest opener in India.
After a smashing opening in India, the fantasy drama film is set for a good opening weekend. Since the word of mouth is strong, the film will only see an increase in its collection over the weekend.
"The Jungle Book," based on British author Rudyard Kipling's eponymous novel, has been released in India in English and Hindi versions. The English version features the voices of actors Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito and Christopher Walken, while Bollywood stars, including Priyanka Chopra, Om Puri, Nana Patekar, Shefali Shah, Rajesh Khattar and Irrfan Khan have dubbed for the Hindi version.
Check out the top openers of 2016, as provided by Bollywood Hungama.
Airlift: Rs. 12.35 crore
The Jungle Book: Rs.10.09 crore
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice: Rs. 8.25 crore
Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3: Rs. 8.15 crore
Ki and Ka: Rs. 7.30 crore
Ghayal Once Again: Rs.7.20 crore
Kapoor and Sons: Rs. 6.85 crore
Wazir: Rs. 5.61 crore
Mastizaade: Rs. 5.59 crore
Jai Gangaajal: Rs. 5.5 crore
[1 lakh = 100,000 | 1 crore = 10 million | 100 crore = 1 billion]