SRK takes on Hollywood internationally

So India has a population of one billion, right? And its economy, brain power and youth drivers are set to rule the world right? That’s why it bothered us no end when Indian movies were often left on the wayside when it came to overseas collections and the Oscars.

Even brilliant offerings like Lagaan that deserved more than the Oscars. But we think the time is now. For a first, AR Rahman swept the world. And now it’s My Name Is Khan that is winning the global sweepstakes. We hear that apart from its India gross, MNIK has earned about Rs 72.4 crores from international markets. In the UAE alone, MNIK is set to become the 4th biggest movie of all time, ahead of Dark Knight, Transformers 2, Spider Man 3, Twilight: New Moon. And that’s the news that warms the cockles of our desi hearts.

At final count, the Middle East distributors expect it to be twice of Fox Searchlight’s global 2008 phenomenon Slumdog Millionaire. “In other Islamic markets too,” says Vijay Singh of Fox, “It continues to grow and has crossed over to non-diaspora audiences. In Indonesia, for example, the film has grown from 6 to 14 screens and has seen a jump of 300 per cent in week three. The film has not just done the highest ever theatrical business for a Bollywood film, it has become a national phenomenon.” Is SRK smiling? Sure. Is Brad Pitt? We truly doubt that.