Trade pundits differ on 'Chennai Express' beating 'Ek Tha Tiger'

Shah Rukh certainly seems to be controversy's favourite child. Sunday's
collections are not yet in,
and Chennai Express is
embroiled in another controversy. While some trade analysts claim the
film has beaten
Salman starrer Ek Tha Tiger's first day
collections, others beg to differ.

The trade pundits of the film industry
consider the first day opening of Chennai
Express to be second highest ever after
Ek Tha Tiger collecting Rs 29.50cr on the
first day. Trade analyst Amod Mehra said,
"Had they not kept the paid preview of the film which has collected Rs 6 cr, the
numbers of the first day would've been
bigger than Ek Tha Tiger.''

Amul Mohan of Super Cinema tweeted,
"ChennaiEpxress : paid preview- 6.00 cr,
fri (revised)- 29.50 cr (2nd biggest
opening day, #EkThaTiger was 30.50 cr),
total 35.50 cr.''

An industry insider said, "Most of the first
day first show audience went and the
watched the film during the paid
preview otherwise the total collection of
Chennai Express would've gone up to Rs
35cr.''

Komal Nahata tweeted, "Chennai Express
Friday all-India net: Rs. 29 crore, second-
biggest ever! Thursday paid previews: Rs.
6 crore. Total: 35 crore. Outstanding''

Box office India website reports first day
collection of Chennai Express to be
29.32cr and Ek Tha Tiger at Rs 30.52cr.

Exhibition sector is thrilled with the
overwhelming response the film is
getting at the box office. Senior Vice
President Operations of Fun Cinema
Vishal Anand said, "Chennai Express
opened with a bang- and is the biggest opening for Shah Rukh and Rohit Shetty.
The first three day collection along with
paid previews should be in the range of
Rs 80 cr and also will be the fastest Rs
100 cr fillm for SRK and maybe for the
records too.''

Meanwhile Chennai Express is moving
towards becoming biggest weekend
opener ever. Distributor Aman Gill said,
"Chennai Express will make about 85-90
cr in the first weekend and I see the total
collection touching about Rs 180 cr.''

High Weekend Collections

Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani - 62 cr (first
weekend) - 182 cr (Total)
Ek Tha Tiger- 61 cr (first weekend) - 187
cr (Total)
Dabangg - 60 cr (first weekend) - 152 cr
(Total)