Mumbai,Sep[tember 02 :SALMAN Khan’s latest release Bodygaurd has broken all opening day records in Bollywood, with first- day collections touching an unprecedented ` 20 crore mark.
Departing from the regular norm of a Friday release, the film opened on Wednesday on the occasion of Eid.
Bodyguard was released across 2,800 screens worldwide and the five- day extended weekend should guarantee new records for Salman.
Salman’s Eid release last year, Dabangg, had collected ` 14.5 crore on its first day while the superstar’s earlier release this year, Ready, raked in ` 12.5 crore on its first day. In 2009, the Aamir Khan- starrer 3 Idiots opened at ` 13 crore on the first day.
“ Salman has emerged as Bollywood’s Rajinikanth. Bodyguard opened on Wednesday and had the benefit of an extended five- day weekend, besides riding on Salman’s mammoth star power. The net profits of the film will touch a minimum of ` 90 crore if not more. The boxoffice response to Bodyguard has been unprecedented in Bollywood history,” trade analyst Komal Nahata said.
“ The deadly combination of Salman Khan and Eid has clearly worked wonders for the film. The film was strategically released on the occasion to capture the festive mood and also the fact that Salman’s past two Eid releases — Wanted in 2009 and Dabangg last year — were blockbusters,” added Nahata.
But, the industry and fans alike missed Salman. Even as his film breaks records, the superstar is recuperating in the US after undergoing a surgery for a neurological condition, which caused him pain in the jaw, head and face besides spasms. His brother- in- law Atul Agnihotri, who produced Bodyguard is also with him. The surgery was done on Thursday and Sallu is said to be doing fine.
It will take a couple of days for Salman to return to India. The cast and crew of the film have decided to hold all celebrations till the actor’s return.
Siddique, who made his Bollywood debut as a director with the film is naturally elated. “ This is my first Hindi film and the response has been beyond my expectation.
The credit goes to the Salman factor and Kareena’s sensuous desi look,” he said.
The filmmaker originally made Bodyguard in Malayalam with Dileep and Nayanthara, and then did a Tamil remake of the subject titled Kaavalan with Vijay and Asin.
“ This story is a big hit down south, too. Hindi films rarely get a huge opening in Kerala, but Bodyguard is running to full houses in the state. People are amazed that a Hindi remake of a Malayalam original is doing so well in Kerala,” he added.
Bodyguard has broken Bollywood’s 30- day lull at the box office.
The film should have a free run this week as no other major commercial releases are lined up.