'Raanjhanaa' collects Rs31.5 crore worldwide on opening weekend

Raanjhanaa, the movie that celebrates love, is enjoying a positive response at the box office as the love saga has grossed Rs31.5 crore worldwide on its opening weekend.

Anand L Rai directed film, said to be made at a budget of Rs35 crore, released Friday across 14,00 screens in the country and 220-plus screens abroad and on its opening weekend, it has grossed Rs.26.5 crore at the Indian box office and Rs5 crore in the overseas market.

The film's high points are its Varanasi flavour, mind-boggling music by AR Rahman, Dhanush's convincing portrayal of a worshipping lover and the earthy side of Sonam Kapoor, who also shows her acting skill.

The Dhanush-Sonam starrer is wooing the audience in India and offshore alike.

Praising the film, trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted: "A film that touches the core of your heart. Not to be missed!"

If the film has garnered positive reviews, the word of mouth publicity through social networking sites has helped the film in a big way.

The film is so good that celebrities are also talking about it on the social networking sites with megastar Amitabh Bachchan tweeting: "In celebration (of India's victory at the Champions Trophy) saw Raanjhanaa... loved the premise, the execution the performance, and the UP (Uttar Pradesh) atmosphere. Wishing it all success!"

Written by Himanshu Sharma, the film is produced by Krishika Lulla under the banner Eros International and the star cast also includes actors like Abhay Deol, Swara Bhaskar and Mohammed Zeeshan.

If Sonam gave her style diva tag a miss to play Zoya, she also made her character believable and the actress is getting praises from all quarters for her acting skills.

Renowned novelist and columnist Shobhaa De tweeted: "Sonam can act, saala!"

Vicky Donor fame actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who will be seen with Sonam in the Yash Raj Films' untitled project, said, "She has got a great sense of fashion and style and that had eclipsed her acting talent in the past, but I think by doing films like Raanjhanaa and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, you will discover her earthy side and an actor in her."

Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan said: "Mostly youngsters are coming to watch the film. They are appreciating Dhanush's acting and are really pleased with his performance."

"Sonam, represents the youth of the country, so people are coming to watch her as well. There is a buzz about her performance in the film and the audience are coming to see it," he added.

With critics calling the film "heady wine and its effect will only grow", Raanjhanaa is expected to go strong at the ticket window.