‘Padmaavat’ enters Rs 200-crore club despite protests

Mumbai, February 5

Advertisement

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama "Padmaavat", which faced widespread protests before its release, has had an impressive run at the box office so far by earning over Rs 200 crore in two weeks.

The film got mired in a controversy after various Rajput groups alleged that it distorts history, a claim repeatedly denied by its director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

According to the producer Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, the film has collected Rs 212.5 crore since its release on January 25.

The collection in the second weekend was Rs 46 crore. The film enjoyed a free run in its second week with no other major Bollywood film releasing.

The figures come even as several multiplex owners have shown reluctance to screen the film, fearing violent protests.

Theatre owners in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are not screening the film.

Starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, the film was released on January 25.

Reacting to the box office succes of "Padmaavat", Ranveer said, "From playing one of the most challenging characters ever to notching my first 200 crore grosser, this film has already given me so many overwhelming, emotional and humbling memories," he said in a statement. — PTI