Telugu movie "Oopiri," starring Nagarjuna, Karthi and Tamannaah, has received superb opening at the US box office and has beaten the premiere and first-day collection records of "Soggade Chinni Nayana."
Akkineni Nagarjuna has a huge fan base in North America and the massive success of his recent releases like "Manam" and "Soggade Chinni Nayana" is the proof of it. The promos of the film, which is an official remake of French movie "The Intouchables," had created lot of hype for it. Trade experts had predicted that the movie would get a record breaking opening for Nagarjuna.
In a bid to cash in on the hype and Nag popularity in the US, the owners of PVP Cinema, who have produced "Oopiri," have distributed the movie in the key international markets. They released the film in 98+ screens across North America. The movie became the second biggest release for Nagarjuna in the country after "Manam."
The Vamsi Paidipally-directed movie was premiered in several centres in the country Thursday night. "Oopiri" garnered good response and collected $76,804 at the US box office in the preview shows. The film raked in $209,101 at the US box office on the first day, taking its total collection to $285,905.
India's leading film trade expert Taran Adarsh tweeted, "Telugu film #Oopiri lives up to enormous hype and monumental expectations. SMASHING start in USA. Opens at No 14, an ENVIABLE ACHIEVEMENT..." He added, "Telugu film #Oopiri - USA: Thu pre $ 76,804, Fri $ 209,101. Total: $ 285,905 [₹ 1.91 cr]. Sat + Sun biz should add to a FAB total! @Rentrak"
"Oopiri" has shattered the records of Nagarjuna's previous release "Soggade Chinni Nayana," which collected $535,183 (Rs 3.62 crore) of 80 screens at the US box office in its first weekend. Its break-up is $50,523 Thursday premiere, $108,005 Friday, $198,364 Saturday and $178,291 Sunday.
But "Oopiri" has failed to beat the records of "Manam," which collected $95,473 in Thursday previews and $213,511 on its opening day. However, when looked at its screen count, its collection is almost on par with the business done by "Manam." It should be seen whether it will be able to beat the Saturday and Sunday records of the latter, which has raked in $260,327 Saturday and $274960 Sunday.