MUMBAI: While it failed to give any competition to Om Shanti Om at the box office, Sony Pictures’ first Indian co-production Saawariya directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali has collected Rs 500 million (Rs 50 crores or $ 12.5 million) across 754 screens in India over the Diwali weekend November 9 – 11, 2007.
Apart from India, Saawariya was also released in 12 other markets (across 230 screens) namely the UK, US, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Kenya, Malaysia, Oman, Quatar, Bahrain, Singapore. The movie collected $ 1.5 million collectively in these countires.
According to numbers made available by Sony Pictures, the worldwide tally for the opening weekend (9 – 11 November, 2007) is $ 14 million.
SPE Films India managing director Uday Singh said, "We are thrilled with the opening and the fact that audiences everywhere have connected with the film, especially the youth, who have loved the heartwarming performances by the two newcomers Ranbir and Sonam. Sony Pictures congratulates Shah Rukh Khan and the entire Om Shanti Om team for setting the all-time record for a film during the Diwali box office weekend. It is truly an amazing accomplishment. But what is even more significant is that two major films competed against each other and both did enormously well. The marketplace can accommodate two major motion pictures and both can succeed. We could not be more pleased with the success of Saawariya and we are proud that we have played a role in setting the record for our industry during Diwali week."
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