Fastest opening weekend of 2015: 'ABCD 2' mints Rs.46.35 crore

Leaving behind the likes of "Tanu Weds Manu Returns", "Gabbar is Back" and "Dil Dhadakne Do", actors Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor's dance film "ABCD 2" has become the highest opening weekend film of 2015 after minting Rs.46.35 crore in its opening weekend, say trade analysts.

Directed by Remo D'Souza, "ABCD 2", the sequel of 2013 film "ABCD: Any Body Can Dance", became the highest opener of 2015 after collecting Rs.14.30 crore on its opening day itself. It was more than the collections of Akshay Kumar-starrer "Gabbar is Back" (Rs.13.05 crore) and Zoya Akhtar multi-starrer comedy-drama film "Dil Dhadakne Do" (Rs.10.53 crore), according to trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

The film, which focusses on the journey of 'The Fictitious Group', a dance group from Nalasopara, a suburb on the outskirts of Mumbai, showcases how a local dance group, from a television reality show makes it to the World Starz - Hip Hop Competition, in Las Vegas. It collected Rs.14.54 crore on Saturday and Rs.17.51 crore on Sunday, which takes its cumulative total to Rs.46.35 crore.

"#ABCD2 records the HIGHEST OPENING WEEKEND of 2015 (so far). First *Hindi film* to cross Rs.45 crore mark (Fri-Sun) in 2015. India biz," Adarsh posted on Twitter.

According to trade analyst Komal Nahta, the film is getting an "outstanding" response from all the regions and will continue its "unstoppable" run at cinemas in upcoming weeks.

"'ABCD 2' is a surefire hit. It's a visual delight. Opening of 'ABCD 2' outstanding from Bombay circuit to Bihar circuit, sure sign that it is unstoppable. With this, Varun joins league of top stars," Nahta said.

It seems that word of mouth publicity and aggressive marketing across product categories has helped "ABCD 2". Tie-ups with brands like Pond's Men, Reebok, Reliance Trendz, Lakme Make up Pro, Hair & Care, Voxpop and Panasonic Smartphones also steered the buzz for the movie.

Not only the film has got a thumbs up from critics and fans, but also many B-Town stars like Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Jacqueline Fernandez have given some positive reviews to it. Excited with the response of the film Shraddha posted on Twitter : "O m g.. Itna pyaar.. All I want to say is, thank YOU! The love each of you has given #ABCD2 is simply priceless."

Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut and R. Madhavan-starrer "Tanu Weds Manu Returns", which is inching towards the Rs.150 crore-mark, is getting a successful run at the box office in its fifth consecutive week. The film collected Rs.147.09 crore till Sunday. On the other hand, Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi's "Hamari Adhuri Kahani" has collected Rs.30.26 crore in two weeks.

Though the box office witnessed a roller-coaster run in the first quarter, films like "ABCD 2", "Dil Dhadakne Do" and "Tanu Weds Manu Returns" have given a sigh of relief to the entertainment industry with their successful runs.

As far as the future of the box office is concerned, viewers are in for some unique and effective cinema with forthcoming political satire film "Miss Tanakpur Haazir Ho", which is set to release on Friday. The small budget film will face a tough competition from "Bezubaan Ishq" and "Uvaa".