Padmaavat might have just survived the wrath of the Rajput Karni Sena in India, but it is flourishing at the US Box office. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film managed to break into the top 10 of the US box office, pipping two Academy award frontrunners in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and I, Tonya.
The film, which was distributed through Viva Pictures Distribution across 324 cinemas in the North Americas, managed to rake in $4.3 million (approximately Rs27.32 crore at the current exchange rate) in the first weekend. The box office was led by the dystopian adventure, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, which managed $23.5 million (approx Rs149.35 crore).
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Yet, the surprising fact is that Bhansali's film has managed to break through into the top 10 on its debut weekend. The film has been facing heat from fringe elements like the Karni Sena, as well as facing bans across several states in India.
The Dwayne Johnson-starrer, Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle was placed at the second spot with $16.4 million (approx Rs104.23 crore) in its 6th week, while the Christian Bale-starrer, Hostiles, managed to hit the 3rd spot with $10.2 million (approx Rs64.79).
Padmaavat is in its first weekend in India, after its early release on Thursday, 25 January. The film has at last count earned Rs50 crore on its second day in theatres in India.