Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus is soaring high at the box office in India as well as worldwide. The Deepika Padukone-starrer has minted Rs 155 crore on Indian box office so far. In its opening week itself, the film crosses the Rs 150-crore mark. The period drama had marched past the Rs 100 crore figure in its opening weekend since releasing on January 25, with paid previews that gave its earning a Rs 5 crore jumpstart a day before.
According to Viacom18 Motion Pictures, which produced the movie with Bhansali Productions, "Padmaavat" had a cumulative collection of Rs 155.5 crore till January 31.
"'Padmaavat' is unstoppable. Crosses Rs 150 crore mark," trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted.
The film, based on 16th century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's poem "Padmavat", was caught in a row after protests from Shri Rajput Karni Sena which contended that it distorts historical facts and dents the pride of the Rajput community. As a result of the ensuing violence, the movie did not release in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh as well as in some theatres across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Elsewhere, it cashed in on the extended Republic Day weekend. It has received mixed reviews, with some appreciating the movie for its visual brilliance and impeccable performances, while some slamming it for glorifying the practice of Jauhar (self-immolation) and for showcasing Alauddin Khilji as demon-like.
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh-starrer Padmaavat released on January 25 after a tumultuous journey. It faced flak and outrage from various religious outfits of the country like Rajput Karni Sena. After deferring the release date from December 1, 2017, Padmaavat finally released on January 25, 2018 after Supreme Court gave a green signal to the film. However, still 4 Indian states didn't screen Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus citing protests by Karni Sena.
(With IANS Inputs)
