Ranbir Kapoor's 'Besharam' Breaks 'Chennai Express' Record in India

Not even a week before its release, Ranbir Kapoor starrer "Besharam" has broken one of the records created by Shah Rukh Khan's "Chennai Express".

SRK's blockbuster "Chennai Express" was released in 3500 screens in India, making it one of the biggest releases in Bollywood. But the Ranbir Kapoor starrer has taken the top spot in the number of screen count as "Besharam" is booked in 3600 screens across the country.

The distributor of the film, Reliance Entertainment, has booked more than 3600 screens for the film, making it the biggest release in the history of Indian cinema.

Distributors had planned to release the upcoming action comedy in 4000 screens but due to "Attarintiki Daredi", starring Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan, the screen count is less in southern circuits.

"Yes, 'Besharam' will be the largest release till date, both in India and abroad. I am looking at 3600 plus screens. I had planned for 4000 screens but Pawan Kalyan's Telugu film 'Attarintiki Daredi' which releases today have a got a phenomenal response in advance booking. That takes away some screens which I had planned in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala," Utpal Acharya, Distribution Head of Reliance Entertainment, told The Times of India.

Releasing films in most number of screens has become a new trend in Bollywood. The larger the number of screens, the bigger is the box office revenue, Acharya added.

However, few trade analysts believe that wide releases don't assure good revenues. A leading distributor on condition of anonymity told TOI that "If 'Besharam' is accepted well, yes, then it would definitely make sense to release in so many screens. And yes, even 100-150 more screens can make a difference."

"Besharam", which is releasing on 2 October, has already created hype among fans as Ranbir Kapoor will be seen sharing the big screen with his parents Rishi and Neetu Kapoor for the first time.