'Welcome' welcomed in Pakistan

PAKISTAN BOX-OFFICE

WELCOME has been welcomed with open arms in Pakistan. Released last Friday [8th February], the film has fared very well in its opening weekend, despite the fact that the pirated DVDs have been in circulation there… Meanwhile, the business has hit rock bottom in the absence of new releases in the major markets

After Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt's AWARAPAN and UTV's DHAN DHANA DHAN GOAL, WELCOME is the next recent release to open in Pakistani theatres. Here's some vital info pertaining to its opening weekend business in the neighboring country. It's a Bollywood Hungama exclusive.

Since its release on 8th February, the box-office graph of WELCOME has only gone upwards and the business is expected to zoom further next week. The elections [scheduled for 18th February] may disrupt the business a little, but the business is expected to increase again thereafter. Luckily, as there is no other film releasing, WELCOME has a few clean weeks ahead.

Here are the box-office gross figures for a 3-day period [Friday to Sunday] from some of the cinemas. Remember, they are all single theatres in Pakistan apart from Cinepax Rawalpindi or Cineplex Karachi [where one print each is playing]. All theatres are playing 3 shows a day.

LAHORE
Metropole: Pakistani Rs. 2,15,190; DHA: 3,24,500; Sozo: 1,44,950; Plaza: 1,56,450

KARACHI
We don't have the 3-day figures yet, but it was a sellout in Cineplex on Saturday and Sunday. 2 shows in Nishat were also sold out on Sunday.

FAISLABAD
Taj Mahal: 2,33,200

RAWALPINDI
Cinepax: 1,13,400; PAF: 57,355

GUJRANWALA
Prince: 1,25,970; Zinco Palace: 80,730

MULTAN
Dreamland: 1,09,560; Rex: 95,500