'Ra.One' grosses Rs170 crore in first five days

Ra.One, Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan's most ambitious project to date, has earned Rs 170 crore in the opening weekend, distributor said.

Produced by Red Chillies and Eros International, Ra.One (released on October 26), grossed Rs 170 crore in first five days. The movie earned Rs 18 crore in India on opening day.

So far, it has raked in Rs137.25 crore (net collection of Rs 96 crore) in India, and Rs32.75 crore overseas.

"The film has created history by taking over the mantle of the biggest domestic earner so far. It has touched the highest individual collection in circuits such as Mumbai, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan. We see repeat viewings of the movie with the 3-D version being equally sought-after," Nandu Ahuja of Eros International Media Ltd said.

"With the Eid holiday also coming up next week and no other major film releases, we are anticipating the film to continue doing huge numbers."

The film opened at over 4,000 screens worldwide. It is scheduled for further theatrical release in the first quarter of 2012 across several other territories including South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Russia, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Palestine, Brazil, Spain, Italy and Greece.

About the overseas market, Pranab Kapadia, President,
Distribution, Eros International, said, "The film is enjoying
a superb run across all major regions including UK, North
America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Overseas, the
film has broken SRK's own previous first weekend record
established by `My Name is Khan'. Ra.One occupies the position
of biggest Indian first weekend grosser overseas as well."

Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the film was made with budget
of Rs 150 crore.

Even before the release, the makers had sold television
broadcasting rights, reportedly, for Rs 40 crore, distribution
rights for Rs 77 crore, while music rights were bought by
T-Series for Rs 15 crore.