BackAkshay Kumar maintains box-office record as ‘Jolly LLB 2’ sets cash registers ringing
Not only does Akshay Kumar co-produce 90% of his movies, he also contributes more to the box office than most other actors
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New Delhi: With his latest offering, Jolly LLB 2, Akshay Kumar has delivered his fifth hit in a row, cementing his position as possibly the most bankable star in Bollywood. The courtroom drama that opened to Rs13.20 crore on Friday grew over the weekend, making a grand Rs50.46 crore by the end of Sunday.
The Subhash Kapoor-directed film is a sequel to the 2013 National Award-winning comedy Jolly LLB, starring Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani, which had earned Rs32.71 crore in box-office collections.
“It is humbling to see audiences shower so much love on our film. In two days flat, Jolly LLB 2 crossed the lifetime collection of the first film which validates the solid equity of the franchise," said Vijay Singh, chief executive officer, Fox Star Studios, producers of the satirical comedy. “The movie is riding on fantastic word-of-mouth and we expect a huge week one on the cards."
To be sure, Jolly LLB 2 is yet another example of the actor’s track record of delivering profitable ventures. The latest film may have also benefited from franchise value and but at lifetime collections of ₹ 27.49 crore, ₹ 09.14 crore, ₹ 28.1 crore and ₹ 89. 95 crore, respectively, Rustom, Housefull 3, Airlift and Singh Is Bliing make up the past four blockbusters of the actor, who is known for churning out more movies than most of his contemporaries each year.
“Akshay Kumar has a record of ensuring his producers recover their investment from basic India theatricals within 8-10 days of release," said Utpal Acharya, founder of film production, distribution and marketing company Indian Film Studios. “Overseas, internet and video-on-demand rights act as profits which only makes for good economics."
Acharya expects the film to make about Rs80 crore by the end of its first week and cross the Rs100-crore mark within 10 days.
The actor who likes to limit the combined production and promotional budget of his films to Rs50-70 crore, works on a profit-sharing arrangement, making anywhere between Rs30-35 crore per project. But not only does he co-produce 90% of his movies, he also contributes more to the box office than most other actors.
“Once in four years, Aamir Khan comes up with a Dangal that makes Rs400 crore. Whereas Akshay Kumar makes Rs300-400 crore each year with his films," Acharya said. “That not just keeps the cash registers ringing but also provides opportunities to a lot more different investors."
All figures have been sourced from movie website Bollywood Hungama.
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