The comeback of Sridevi, the superstar of 1980s and '90s, has once again sizzled the box-office, even as she returns in a non-glamorous avatar. Sridevi's latest release – English Vinglish - is her return to Hindi cinema after 14 years. And she is the hero of the movie.
After a slow start, but more of critical acclaim on Friday, October 5, the movie went on to collect over Rs 13.16 crore (net) from the domestic box-office over 882 screens and Rs 9.75 crore from the oversees during the first weekend. Its net box-office collection till Monday from India stands at Rs 15.24 crore.
Among other female-lead oriented films, The Dirty Picture, Heroine, and Kahaani have scored over English Vinglish, but it is important to mention that the Sridevi-strarrer also got competition from OMG! Oh My God and Barfi (which has joined Rs 100 crore club).
“English Vinglish performance at box office is like performance of Sridevi in the film Thumbs Up Vumps Up. This shows with great content that too with Sridevi. It is a box office spinner. Sridevi not only conquerors hearts in India but even in International market like US, UK, UAE. She has spread her love to fans,” said independent distributor and box office analyst Suneil Wadhwa.
“An absence of 15 years from films has not rusted Sridevi's acting abilities and she has carried the film on her shoulders with no glamour, song and dance or romance coming to her aid,” added senior film critic Vinod Mirani.
Produced by Eros International in association with ad maker R Balki, investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and RK Damani, the film is directorial debut of Balki's wife Gauri Shinde.
First Weekend BO collections of female-lead films
The Dirty Picture – Rs 29.5 crore
Heroine – Rs 25 crore
Kahaani – Rs 12.59 crore
No One Killed Jessica – Rs 14 crore
Fashion – Rs 7 crore