For 2012, Salman Khan has ambitious plans to continue his recent record of releasing blockbusters on Eid. His highly anticipated Ek Tha Tiger will hit theaters just in time for the auspicious occasion.
The record began with Wanted in 2009, which opened two days before Eid. It collected a mere Rs. 5.5 crore on its first day, but soon picked up and managed to end the weekend at Rs. 16 crore. The action flick grossed Rs. 34 crore in its first full week and added another Rs. 20 crore to its kitty during its second.
The trend continued with Dabangg, a family venture directed by his brother Arbaaz Khan, and it quite famously became the biggest hit of 2010. Salman Khan's lovable crooked cop character caught the fancy of both the masses and the classes, winning him accolades at award shows along with enviable box office collections. Opening to an already impressive Rs. 14.35 crore, the first (3-day) weekend yielded Rs. 48.70 crore. The opening week went on to break all previous records, save that of 3 Idiots, and stocked up a whopping Rs. 81 crore! The film kept up the momentum in it's second week as well, collecting another Rs. 35 crore.
Coming to this year, Salman Khan recently found another Eid blockbuster in Bodyguard. It overtook Wanted and Dabangg's opening figures with a record-shattering Rs. 20.5 crore (net) on its first day. On day two, the film collected about Rs.18 crore. Eid and Salman Khan are further proving to be a dynamite combination, as the film's five day weekend's collections are projected cross Rs. 80 crore net.
Apparently Ek Tha Tiger, was scheduled to release on June 1st, but has now been moved to release on Eid 2012. It was not purposely postponed in keeping with this lucky pattern he's established, but rather, on request of his good friend Aamir Khan. This would keep Tiger from coinciding with Aamir's forthcoming venture, a film directed by Reema Kagti. Given the close relationship and mutual respect they have for another, both Aditya Chopra and Salman Khan were happy to reschedule the release.
Whatever the reason may be, we wish Sallu all the best and hope he succeeds in surpassing what's already become a hattrick of stellar success!
