After breaking several records in the domestic and international markets, Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer "Chennai Express" has become the biggest box office hit in Pakistan, beating Salman Khan starrer "Dabangg".
Rohit Shetty's directorial action comedy was released in eight screens in Karachi and has grossed over ₹40 million. On the other hand, "Dabangg" had also opened to a record-breaking reponse when it was released during Eid in 2010, fetching more than ₹200 crore worldwide.
"There is no doubt that 'Chennai Express' has become the biggest box office hit from India since the government allowed screening of Indian movies in the country," Mohammad Qadri, media spokesman for IMGC, told Press Trust of India.
IMGC is considered as the biggest film distributers in Pakistan. The company has its hub in Lahore and imports Indian films through Dubai.
Revealing the approximate figure of "Chennai Express" collections Qadri said, "I can't give the exact figures now, but the initial estimate of ticket sales for the week since its release 'Chennai Express' has grossed over Rs 40 million. The figure will be higher when the final figures of ticket sales for all over Pakistan are available by Monday."
Qadri went on to add that theatre owners have hiked the price of tickets and have increased the screen count considering the demand for the film.
"Clearly the Pakistani people enjoy the movies of Shah Rukh Khan and its ticket sales exceeded expectations and it did much better than all the other Eid releases including some Pakistani movies and the Hollywood blockbuster, 'Wolverine'," Qadri added.
"Chennai Express" which hit screens on 9 August has minted over ₹200 crore worldwide. The film continues to score well at Indian as well as overseas markets.
