RAM-LEELA BOX OFFICE AND REVIEW THREAD 2 - Page 39

It was predicted in this column last week that Ramleela would take an opening in the range of 50%-60% and bring in around 15 crore on the first day. This is exactly how it happened asRamleela brought above our predictions i.e. 15.85 crores on Friday and then further gained strength over the weekend with good footfalls coming in across the country. As a result, over 52.60 crorewere earned in the opening weekend itself, hence bringing the film in the safe zone and a sure-shot hit in the making. All that remains to be seen now is the distance that it would cover in days to follow.

As things stand today, the collections should be good on weekdays as well since audience feedback has ranged from decent to good while critical acclaim has been quite positive across most quarters. Moreover, the industry too has shown support towards this film which means all that Ramleela needs to do is build on the positive stage and setting that it has received.

There are also some interesting statistics at play here. The film is not just Sanjay Leela Bhansali's biggest opener till date (and his first success after Saawariya and Guzaarish) but also the highest lifetime earner in three days flat after surpassing Devdas (33 crore) and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (20 crore). Of course these films were released many years ago and inflation comes into account as well. Still, in absolute numbers, Bhansali has seen big money flowing in after years.

For Deepika Padukone, this is her fifth biggie in a row after Cocktail, Race 2, Chennai Express, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and may also turn out to be her fourth straight 100 crore success. As for Ranveer Singh, he is now further into the big league as Ramleela will make a better business than his previous films like Band Baaja Baaraat, Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl and Lootera had managed! Meanwhile for Eros (Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla), this is another major success for the filmmaking house afterRaanjhanaa and all eyes are on their R... Rajkumar which arrives next.

Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder

Ram Leela First Weekend Collections

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela has collected around 51-52 crore in its first weekend at the box office. The film was outstanding at multiplexes, single screen business picked up towards the end of the weekend too.

The opening weekend business is the 4th highest for 2013 - after Chennai Express, Krrish 3 and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Business through the weekend was around the same level as Deepika Padukone's first release of 2013 - Race 2.

Ram Leela is almost certain to go past the 100 crore mark. If the film holds up well today (Monday), it could go on to be a much bigger grosser.

2013 has been a terrific year for Deepika, all her releases have been huge grossers. Ranveer Singh's performance has received tremendous appreciation and he has comeback strongly after two duds in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl and Lootera. And finally, Sanjay Leela Bhansali too has silenced his critics who wrote him off after two box office failures Saawariya and Guzaarish.

Ram Leela Box office Collections

• Friday - 15.73 crore
• Saturday - 16.85 crore (7% increase)
• Sunday - 18.7 crore (approx) (11% increase)
• First Weekend Total - 51.28 crore