The first big release post IPL, Akshay Kumar's 'Rowdy Rathore' gets a mind-blowing opening at the box-office.

Akshay Kumar's hardcore masala film Rowdy Rathore opened to packed houses this Friday. With an opening day collection figure of Rs 15 crores, the film already entered the big league. The business was steady over the weekend and the film collected around Rs 48 crores in its opening weekend - a very good initial. Trade circles account it as amongst the strongest openings of the year. There were many factors that acted in its favour. It was the first big film after IPL and audiences, starved of a big Bollywood film, thronged the theatres. There was no competition to it and the Akshay Kumar action formula catered to masses in huge numbers.

The coming Friday sees the release of Shanghai. Maverick filmmaker Dibakar Banarjee has carved a niche for his films and Shanghai has managed to get a solo release which should act in its favour tremendously. The film stars Abhay Deol, Kalki, Bengali superstar Prosenjit and almost redefines the image of Emraan Hashmi. After a hardcore formula film, it would be interesting to see a direct contrast release with Shanghai which promises to be a food-for-thought film. That's Bollywood for you!

Source: indiatimes.com