NTR Kathanayakudu box office collection in US premieres: Balayya film beats Geetha Govindam record

Balakrishna's NTR Kathanayakudu has beaten the collection record of Geetha Govindam at the US box office in the premiere shows. It has now become the 15 biggest opening Tollywood movie.

Balakrishna's NTR Kathanayakudu has opened to superb response at the US box office in the premiere shows. It has not only beaten the record of Gautamiputra Satakarni (GPS) but also set to cross $500K mark.

The US was not a big market for Nandamuri Balakrishna until he teamed up with director Krish for the first time. Their first combo film Gautamiputra Satakarni has become a blockbuster hit at the US box office. This movie collected $373,000 in its US premieres and concluded its run with a huge collection of $1,663,000 in the country. This has been the highest collection for Balayya till today.

The success of Gautamiputra Satakarni had created huge expectations about NTR Kathanayakudu. Moreover, this movie is a biographical film based on the life of late legendary actor and politician NT Rama Rao and this subject had doubled the curiosity and hype for the film, which made its overseas theatrical rights sell for a record price of Rs 10 crore.

US Telugu Movie LLC, which acquired its rights, booked 200 screens across the US for it and also held 600 premiere shows in these cinema halls on January 8, a day before it hit the screens in India. NTR Kathanayakudu registered good response in advance booking in the country.

Vamsi-Shekar‏ tweeted, "#NTRKathanayakudu is releasing in 200+ locations in US with 600+ premier shows. #NTRKathaNayaKudu #USA Premieres Pre-Sales Gross till 2PM EST $274,174 From 157 Locs.."

As of 6:45 pm PST, NTR Kathanayakudu collected $359,080 at the US box office in the premiere shows and it almost shattered the record of Gautamiputra Satakarni. Film trade expert Jeevi‏ tweeted, "#NTRKathaNayakudu USA premieres hourly gross at 6:45 pm PST on 8 January is $359,080 from 155 locations with per location average of $2,317. Superb!"

As of 11.45 pm EST, NTR Kathanayakudu collected $442,998 from 171 locations at the US box office in the premiere shows and its per-screen average stands at $2,590.63. The numbers of 29 screens are yet to be reported. If we are to go by above average, the movie will mint another $75,128 in the remaining locations and its final collection in the US premiere shows is likely to stand at $518,126.

OverSeasRights, which provides credible numbers from the US, tweeted, "#NTRKathanayakudu #USA BO Premieres Reported gross at 11.45PM EST (10.15AM IST) $442,998 from 171Locs , $2591 Loc AVG #Premieres numbers Will close tonight around ~$550k Follow @Overseasrights for real-time Live BO Update #NTRKathanayakuduOnJan9th #NTRBiopic #NBK"

NTR Kathanayakudu has shattered the record of Geetha Govindam, which minted $404,000 at the US box office in the premiere shows. The movie has become the 15^th biggest opening Tollywood movie in the country. Here is the list of top 15 biggest openers. These numbers are based on various reports and they may not match with the actual figures released by their makers or distributors.

1. Baahubali 2 1st Day (Thu+Fri) $4,598,336

2. Agnyaathavaasi (Tuesday) $1514K ($25)

3. Baahubali - $1,395,309 ( Tamil $10850 from 23 screens ) ($25)

4. Khaidi No.150 $1,295,613 (Tuesday) ($25)

5. SPYder $1,005,630 (Tuesday) ($25)

6. Bharat Ane Nenu $800K Apx ($20)

7. Aravindha Sametha (Wed) $797K ($20)

8. Rangasthalam $707K ($20)

9. Sardaar $616K ($25)

10. Jai Lava Kusa $589,219 (Wed) ($18)

11. Janatha Garage $584K (Wed) ($20)

12. Brahmotsavam $560K (149 Locs) ($25)