UK plays spoilsport, Record Breaking elsewhere! Dharti Box Office Update
Cine Punjab News Network
After having a record weekend gross of 1.70 crores in India, Dharti has also grossed a record $375,000 overseas on just 45 prints. With this, the combined weekend gross of Dharti is 3.40 Crores, which is the biggest opening weekend for a Punjabi film beating Mel Karade Rabba (2010) by the same team that collected 2.8 Crores. Dharti (2011) has grossed 20% higher than Mel Karade Rabba (2010).
Breakup:
India: 1.67 Crores - Excellent
Australia: $136,000 - Bumper
N. America: $162,000 - Excellent
UK: £18000 on 7 Screens - Under performed
Though the opening weekend is a record for any Punjabi film ever, the expected weekend gross of 4 crores at the Box Office could not be fulfilled. Some of the reasons that went against the film are the serious political theme, no room for romance or comedy, length of the film (just 2 hours and 6 minutes), UK under performance and also some part of the media/fans being extremely critical about the film. It must be noted that among all these negative factors against it, Dharti (2011) has scored huge 1st weekend and drops of 30-35% on monday can still ensure it to be among the top 3 biggest grosser of All Time in Punjabi Cinema.
List of highest grossing Punjabi films.
1.) Mel Karade Rabba (2010) - 10.5 Crores (All Time Blockbuster)
2.) Dil Apna Punjabi (2006) - 9.5 Crores (All Time Blockbuster)
3.) Mera Pind (2008) - 6.75 Crores (Blockbuster)
4.) Des Hoya Pardes (2004) - 6.6 Crores (All Time Blockbuster)
5.) Ekam - Son of Soil (2010) - 6.5 Crores (Blockbuster)