Tanu Weds Manu Returns strikes rich at box office

On the first day of its release, the movie earned Rs 8.75 crore and with good word spreading, it will only be striking more gold at the box office

Kangana Ranaut and R Madhavan starrer Tanu Weds Manu Returns has made an impressive beginning at the box office, earning something between Rs 8.5 and Rs 8.75 crore (net after tax) in its first two days. The film, which is a sequel to 2011’s runaway hit Tanu Weds Manu, is produced and directed by Anand Rai and distributed by Eros International.

Released in 1900 screens in India, the film is expected to continue doing well over the weekend despite the final of the 2015 Indian Premier League scheduled for today.

Suniel Wadhwa, independent distributor and box office analyst says, “Tanu Weds Manu Returns has recreated the magic of the first part by garnering Rs 8.50 cr (approximate) on its opening day. This is exceptional for a sequel.” The film recorded an average occupancy of 60 per cent on Friday and is expected to see 80 to 90 per cent occupancy in theatres today.

Wadhwa adds, “Its best business has come from the north and central regions with south, east and west (territories) helping it do decent business. With a positive word of mouth strategy, the film is likely to see a huge jump and could end the opening weekend with around Rs 30 crore or more.”

Analysts also believe that after the disappointment that Bombay Velvet turned out to be, audiences have been waiting for a good film. This, coupled with the onset of the summer vacation, will also help get the audiences to screens.

The movie released in close to 350 screen abroad in countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, Pakistan, New Zealand, Australia and the UAE. It started its international innings with an opening day collections of Rs  3.5 crore.

The film has been made at a cost of Rs 30 crore. This means that if the movie continues to do well over the next week, it could break even by the time it touches the second Friday of its run. Trade pundits peg the first week domestic collections at around Rs 45 crore and international collections at around Rs 20 crore (Monday is a holiday in the US and the UK on account of Memorial Day and Spring Bank holiday respectively.) This amounts to an estimated worldwide collection of Rs 65 crore.

Removing around 50 per cent as the distributor’s share too, the film’s net earnings would then be around Rs 32.5 crore, which would mean that all ancillary revenue streams such as satellite rights fee, music rights fee and the box office collection after the first week, would only add to the profit for the producers.