Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Pathaan’ on record breaking box office hit in comeback for mega star

Indian superstar Shah Rukh Khan is back, and in a big way, as his action-packed spy shooter Pathan breaking records for a Hindi title since its debut on Wednesday in India and abroad. It also ends a long hiatus from the big screen as a mainstay for SRK and strengthens Bollywood which has had a rough run of late.

As of Friday, Yash Raj Films’ title has earned $US313 million ($39 million) worldwide. It’s already the world’s biggest opening weekend for a Bollywood title ever, with more to come today and tomorrow. It is expected to finish around $40 million in India by Sunday and over $65 million worldwide by Sunday, which will put it near the top starts for any Indian title RRR, Bahabali 2 and KGF 2.

from Yash Raj, Pathan also set other new records: it is the fastest Hindi film to cross 300 crore (36.8 million) worldwide and the first Hindi film to cross 300 crore in its opening session.

on friday, Pathan 39.25 crore net income/47 crore gross ($4.8 million / $5.77 million) – Indian box office coverage is not centralized, causing some confusion. Meanwhile, Friday’s overseas gross was $5.3 million, bringing the running balance through Friday to $13.7 million.

Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani said, “It’s amazing Pathan recorded its biggest opening to date in India and abroad… Pathan has been blessed by Native Americans around the world and what is happening with this film is unprecedented and historic.”

The film, which also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, stars SRK as the titular spy who goes up against the leader of a group of mercenaries who have nefarious plans to attack his homeland.

As Wednesday bowed Pathan recorded the biggest Day 1 ever for a Hindi film in India for 57 crore ($7 million) and did so on a non-public holiday. It gave SRK his biggest opening at home (and globally) just like Abraham, while Padukone’s highest ever first day gross in India. It was also top notch for Yash Raj and director Siddharth Anand, in India and worldwide. Additionally, on Wednesday, IMAX achieved its biggest ever opening day for an Indian film.

Outside India PathanPart of producer Aditya Chopra’s ambitious espionage universe, it chronicled the biggest opening day for an Indian film in the UK.

By Day 2, Thursday (Republic Day in India), the total worldwide box office rose to $219.6 million ($27 million). Anointed in India on Thursday Pathan the first Hindi film to cross the gross of 70 crore (US$8.6 million) in a single day.

We will update on Sunday.