'2012' makes more than Rs.19 crore in opening weekend

New Delhi, Nov 17 (IANS) Hollywood filmmaker Roland Emmerich's disaster epic '2012', released Friday, has grossed over Rs.19 crore in its opening weekend in India.

Inspired by the idea of a global doomsday coinciding with the end of the Mayan Long Count Calendar's current cycle on Dec 21, 2012, the film released simultaneously in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu across 715 screens with 676 prints.

'The film has performed exceedingly well in both metros as well as smaller centres appealing to a large range of audiences, including families who are drawn to the personal family storyline,' Kercy Daruwala, managing director of Sony Pictures India said in a statement Tuesday.

'It looks unbeatable for the coming weeks in the wake of sustained marketing and strong word-of-mouth. The film has shown high potential for repeat viewing,' he added.

Distributed worldwide by Columbia Pictures, the movie has an ensemble cast that includes John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Danny Glover, Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jimi Mistry and Woody Harrelson.

Earlier Hollywood movies to have touched the mark are 'Spider-Man 3' and 'Quantum of Solace' that made Rs.19.17 crore and Rs.17 crore respectively in their opening weekend here.