MUCH LOVED, MUCH HATED
Right-wing activists protesting against Aamir Khan starrer “PK,” burn the film’s posters outside a movie theatre in New Delhi. (Shahbaz Khan | PTI)
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Aamir Khan-starrer PK has seen total domestic earnings of Rs. 285.37 crore, including Rs 6.85 crore on its third Friday, making it the highest grossing film in India, according to its producers.
The film has further added Rs. 134 crore from its overseas earnings in North America, U.K., Australia and Gulf countries, with the producers hoping for bigger numbers as details from other territories become available.
PK has benefited from the festive period combined with no big Bollywood releases since hitting the theatres on Dec. 19.
The Rajkumar Hirani-directed film has faced the ire of right-wing organizations who say the movie disrespects Hindu religion, but the controversies have not affected its box-office climb.
Hirani, 52, said he is elated over the performance of the movie, which shows that people are watching the film even three weeks after its release.
“I had never in my wildest dreams thought this film will cross these numbers. It reinforces faith that content is king. We can continue making films we believe in. The messages I get are overwhelming. People are watching the film over and over again. It’s humbling,” the director said in a statement.
PK is the second film by both Aamir and Hirani after 3 Idiots (Rs. 202 crore) to be a part of the highest earning films club.
Aamir-starrer Dhoom 3 was second biggest earner with Rs. 271.82 crore followed by Salman Khan-starrer Kick (Rs 244 crore) and Shah Rukh Khan’s Chennai Express (Rs 228 crore).