Post by Tony on Apr 27, 2005 13:05:37 GMT
Eros International is proud to announce the runaway success of the theatrical opening of Waqt – The Race Against Time, featuring an all-star cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra and Shefali Shah. With a first weekend takings of £208,254 it has opened at number 10 at the UK box office. No mean feat is the fact that Waqt has the highest screen average of £6125 per screen, nearly twice that of its nearest competitor, the No 1 film The Interpreter (screen average of just £3269). That speaks volumes for the power of Bollywood.
It has performed equally well in the US, taking $454,000 on 50 screens, with a screen average of $9080. Waqt is one of the first major films to be produced under the Eros International banner and its success is testament to the company’s stature within the industry. Eros Chairman Mr. Kishore Lulla said, “I am delighted with the box office performance of Waqt, which is our first big budget production venture mounted with the big screen in mind in an era rampant with piracy. Eros has now truly stamped its name on all aspects of the business – from production to distribution. This sets the standard for all of our forthcoming production ventures and with the support of the millions of Bollywood fans world over I am certain that we will go from strength to strength.”
Waqt is directed by Vipul Shah, from a screenplay by Aatish Kapadia based on his own famous Gujarati play Aavjo Vhala Fari Malishu, and portrays the trials and tribulations that can affect a family. Audience reaction has ranged from “a feel-good family drama” to “a racy rollercoaster of drama and comedy” and it has also met with critical acclaim in the UK media. The Guardian gives it 3 out of 5 stars saying it displays “plenty of exuberance” and “sheer likeability carries it along”, and The Observer states “the musical numbers are…well staged”. The Scotsman says Amitabh “does excellent work” whilst Channel 4 says Waqt “demonstrates more wit, style and emotional depth than the last half dozen UK Bollywood releases” with Amitabh “bringing to the role a winning mix of authority and vulnerability”. Meanwhile Mark Kermode on Radio 5 gave it an outstanding review, saying “ I watched the whole thing with a big smile on my face…it did have many fine moments of verbal comedy…I really enjoyed it.”
Powerful performances, a great storyline and incredible music make Waqt a must-see film. The film is out now in cinemas nationwide. More information on the film and Bollywood in general can be found on www.waqtthefilm.com
It has performed equally well in the US, taking $454,000 on 50 screens, with a screen average of $9080. Waqt is one of the first major films to be produced under the Eros International banner and its success is testament to the company’s stature within the industry. Eros Chairman Mr. Kishore Lulla said, “I am delighted with the box office performance of Waqt, which is our first big budget production venture mounted with the big screen in mind in an era rampant with piracy. Eros has now truly stamped its name on all aspects of the business – from production to distribution. This sets the standard for all of our forthcoming production ventures and with the support of the millions of Bollywood fans world over I am certain that we will go from strength to strength.”
Waqt is directed by Vipul Shah, from a screenplay by Aatish Kapadia based on his own famous Gujarati play Aavjo Vhala Fari Malishu, and portrays the trials and tribulations that can affect a family. Audience reaction has ranged from “a feel-good family drama” to “a racy rollercoaster of drama and comedy” and it has also met with critical acclaim in the UK media. The Guardian gives it 3 out of 5 stars saying it displays “plenty of exuberance” and “sheer likeability carries it along”, and The Observer states “the musical numbers are…well staged”. The Scotsman says Amitabh “does excellent work” whilst Channel 4 says Waqt “demonstrates more wit, style and emotional depth than the last half dozen UK Bollywood releases” with Amitabh “bringing to the role a winning mix of authority and vulnerability”. Meanwhile Mark Kermode on Radio 5 gave it an outstanding review, saying “ I watched the whole thing with a big smile on my face…it did have many fine moments of verbal comedy…I really enjoyed it.”
Powerful performances, a great storyline and incredible music make Waqt a must-see film. The film is out now in cinemas nationwide. More information on the film and Bollywood in general can be found on www.waqtthefilm.com