CE will score 200cr

The pomp and show of the Chennai Express game launch yesterday was provoking enough to think whether the film will live up to the overwhelming hype around it. There are always perks of being a Shah Rukh Khanfilm as the teeming millions of his fans would loyally side with you. And hence it wouldn't be hard to point out that if all goes well, from the box office angle this film will be a winner for itself and King Khan. There are reasons to believe that this film will not only surpass 100 crores easily, but also touch the 200 crore mark with ease.

Shah Rukh Khan's last release was Yash Chopra's Jab Tak Hai Jaan which made a lifetime cumulative of120 crores at the domestic box office. Taking into account the film's overseas collections,where the film that was a super hit; its total business in the global circuits was humongous emerging it as the 3rd Highest Grosser in Overseas. The film was faced with Ajay Devgn starrer Son of Sardaar which too went on to join the100 crore club. It isn't hard to say that if there was no competition, entire audiences multiplexes and single screens alike would have flocked to watch JTHJ. Since Chennai Express has no close competition in its vicinity that week, the film has a high chance of earning its full bloom for an entire week before Akshay Kumarstarer Balaji film Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara hits the screens exactly a week later.

Eid releases have usually been magnanimous response in terms of revenue. Last year's Eid release was theSalman Khan-Katrina Kaif starer Ek Tha Tiger which earned a total of 198 crores at the box office. The year before last, Salman Khan starer Bodyguard made 142 crores at the box office. Though the Eid domain has always been about the working of Salman's charisma, Eid release have always had money speaking for them!

Moreover, director Rohit Shetty, who has already had films like Singham and Golmaal 3 in 100 crore club, it is his presentation that is quite a hit, especially in the single screens. Now he has given SRK, a touch of his 'ishtyle' and surely his appeal would help to elevate the film to greater heights.

Not to forget, the film's lead lady – Deepika Padukone – is having quite a great year with both her 2013 films acquiring a spot in the 100 crore club. Not just Race 2, her last film with Ranbir Kapoor, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani made a lifetime earning of 190.03 crores at the Domestic Box Office and the film made an excellent business at the Overseas market too. Hopefully, Chennai Express is releasing at the right time while her lucky charm is still zestful.

There are many reasons as to why one can expect this film to be the year's most notable spin off in terms of box-office numbers. SRK's colossal presence is enough to make a film work, Rohit Shetty's magic, Deepika's wonder-girl charm and a film that is brimming with its honesty to entertain! Chennai Express is the right steam to make 200 crores at the box office and even beat the total of Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots, but only the fateful Friday and the opening weekend will decide it for real whether this will solidify or not.