Movie

While Bollywood releases this year have been struggling to set off fireworks at the ticket windows, Hollywood action flick 'Furious 7' has taken the Indian box office by storm. After a first-day opening of Rs 12 crore in India, the movie has grossed Rs 100 crore in three weeks and is racing towards becoming the most successful Hollywood film to be released here.

Box office collection of 'Furious 7': Rs 104 crore

The flick released in four languages in India — Hindi, English, Telugu and Tamil —and is considered special as it conveys a heartfelt goodbye to one of the lead actors, Paul Walker, who died in a road accident in 2013. Much hype was built around the movie as it features Bolly actor Ali Fazal, although in a miniscule role, but with the lead cast.

A still from 'Furious 7'

A source says, "It released on nearly 2200 screens across India and is doing really well even in its third weekend. Its total business stands at Rs 104 crore now."

Trade expert Taran Adarsh states Hollywood films are no longer the second choice for viewers. "These days, Hollywood movies have got a good penetration in the Indian market and are being distributed on a large scale. At times, they are dubbed in regional languages for easy acceptability of the audience here. The production value of their films, scripts and casting is always up to the mark, " he adds.

On the enormous response that Hollywood movies have been receiving in the Indian market over the last few years, Manish Dutt, MD of VR Films and Studios, says: "India is a small territory for Hollywood and we buy the distribution rights which doesn't include the making cost of the film. So, even if you spend a good amount of money for the P&A, then also it's win-win for us."

Hitlist points out a few other big Hollywood releases that set the cash registers ringing in India...