Karan Johar and Viacom18’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has swept the box-office Overseas. While that should come as music to the ears of the film trade, what is even more creditable is that it has managed to shine in foreign shores in spite of the formidable opposition of Hollywood films Oppenheimer and Barbie, both of which were released just a week before the Ranveer-Alia starrer from India.
Yes, you got it right. Since both the Hollywood films were still faring extraordinarily well at the ticket windows when RRKPK hit the screens, it must’ve been difficult for Johar’s films to get proper showcasing. It was indeed difficult, but two things helped greatly: brand Karan Johar, and the goodwill enjoyed by Overseas distributor Pranab Kapadia (Moviegoers Entertainment). Both these ensured that exhibitors abroad did all they could to accommodate the Bollywood film in a decent number of screens and shows.
Overseas, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has already grossed $17.3 million (Rs. 144 crore)! And it is still running there, which means, the moolah is still coming in. The distributor’s share from the love story-cum-family drama from Overseas alone would, therefore, be in the range of Rs. 60-65 crore. In all probability, this would be more than the distributor’s share from India! This is indeed a rarity — that a film yields more share from Overseas than from India.
In the list of all-time blockbusters Overseas, RRKPK now stands at no. 13, having overtaken 3 Idiots and Happy New Year. Why, it has also outperformed Karan Johar’s own production venture, Brahmastra, which grossed $14.2 million (Rs. 113 crore). Some of the other super-hits which RRKPK has outdone Overseas are: Bajirao Mastani ($15.1 million), Prem Ratan Dhan Payo ($14.8 million), and Bahubali 2: The Conclusion ($14.4 million).
In North America alone, the July release has grossed $8 million (Rs. 67 crore), making it the fifth-highest grosser of all time among Hindi films. It has surpassed the total grosses of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Dhoom 3, Sanju, Sultan, Tiger Zinda Hai and Dilwale. What’s heartening is that it is still going strong there. In Australia, it has become the eighth-highest grossing film of all time, having grossed A$1.63 million (Rs. 8.5 crore)! In the list of the top Hindi grossers in the UK, Karan Johar’s latest film stands at no. 13, with a gross figure of £1.7 million (Rs. 18 crore)! The figure for Gulf is $3.75 million (Rs. 30 crore).
The films with grosses higher than RRKPK Overseas are:
Pathaan – $48 million (Rs. 392.40 crore)
Dangal – $30.7 million (Rs. 207.23 crore)
Padmaavat – $29.1 million (Rs. 185.04 crore)
Bajrangi Bhaijaan – $28.6 million (Rs. 181.86 crore)
Dhoom 3 – $28.3 million (Rs. 175.65 crore)
Dilwale – $26.6 million (Rs. 177.42 crore)
PK – $26.5 million (Rs. 167.30 crore)
Sultan – $24.2 million (Rs. 163.15 crore)
Sanju – $21.5 million (Rs. 147.61 crore)
Tiger Zinda Hai – $20.7 million (Rs. 132.67 crore)
My Name Is Khan – $20 million (Rs. 93.47 crore)
Chennai Express – $19.4 million (Rs. 117.79 crore).