The biopic Azhar opened very well in North America, especially given the modest expectations governing its release here. During the weekend of May 13-15, 2016, Azhar earned $127,266 from 51 theaters ($2,495 average). While those may not seem like blockbuster numbers, consider this: 13 Hindi movies have released in more theaters than Azhar this year, but Azhar‘s opening weekend total ranks tenth for 2016, and its opening weekend average ranks seventh. No other Hindi movie to open in fewer than 80 theaters has averaged more than $2,000 per screen in its opening weekend. Of the ten other films released into fewer than 80 theaters this year, the second best opening weekend average is just $1,157 (Rocky Handsome, which opened in 74 theaters). Distributors were cautious given that Emraan Hashmi isn’t a huge draw here, but Azhar turned out to be a modest hit.
Other Hindi movies still showing in the United States and Canada:
- Baaghi: Week 3; $19,342 from 27 theaters; $716 average; $423,418 total
- Fan: Week 5; $5,018 from six theaters; $836 average; $2,301,200 total
- 1920 London: Week 2; $984 from five theaters; $197 average; $24,084 total
- Kapoor & Sons: Week 9; $727 from one theater; $2,660,140
Source: Rentrak, via Bollywood Hungama