My Name is Khan turns out to be a Box Office Monster

Makes Rs 250 million in one day

It was a case of unity triumphing over controversy, as fans from Maharashtra braved threats from the Shiv Sena and flocked to theaters on the very first day of My Name is Khan's release.

Moviegoers across the country made sure they dropped all plans to watch the new Shahrukh Khan flick - My Name is Khan, which is directed by Karan Johar grossed an astounding Rs 250 million on the opening day alone, breaking all kinds of box office records. The worldwide gross of $5.5 million is among the highest ever recorded for a Bollywood film.

The film is only expected to rake in more moolah over the next two months as it expands to more international markets. Next week Bollywood fans in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Oman and Lebanon get to watch the movie. In the US, 'My Name is Khan' distributed by Fox Searchlight and by 20th Century Fox International in other countries across the globe. The film grossed $9,727 in New Zealand and made 50 percent more money than any other Bollywood film in the Middle East. In the UK, MNIK scored $193,000 in just paid previews, which is another opening day record. However the film opened at the 11th spot all time stats in Australia.

"We are delighted with the performance and audience reactions across demographics. More so, because this is only phase one of the film release," Vsaid ijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios India, the Indian distributors of the film, "In addition to the release across 45 countries, My Name is Khan will be rolled out in a phased manner across 25 non-traditional markets from April onwards."

Star Shahrukh Khan is ecstatic with the film's numbers, and is happy that the Shiv Sena could do little to damage the flick. "Power to u all and pray for our film and me. give our team strength to see us through this...let the love flow. hit us hard with it!!" he wrote on his Twitter account. "I am humbled by this show of love & kindness. So don't know what else to say. Overwhelmed & promise will make India proud with my hard work. I realise today...I am just a film hero...You all in the theatres are the real deal. God, feel so loved & humbled. Hats off to all heroes." he added. Have YOU watched My Name is Khan yet?