Yash Raj Films’ action thriller Dhoom 3 opened with a roaring $9.54 million worldwide total on its first day.
The motorbike-heavy picture clocked up $6.1 million in India and a further $3.44 million in the rest of the world, according to company sources.
That total included $1.28 million from the Gulf and Middle East, which YRF claims is a record, and $1.1 from North America, which also would be a record for a Bollywood film. The film plays on 236 screens in North America and with close to $4,500 per screen average on Friday is comfortably the best performing film in the top ten.
In Pakistan, where authorities have recently tried to crimp Indian films, Dhoom 3 scored $210,000, which YRF says is the highest first day ever for any film.
In Australia it took $172,00, some $100,000 higher than previous record holder Jab Tak Hai Jaan. In the UK it managed a more moderate estimated $400,000.
Aamir Khan starrer action thriller is the highest ever grossing collection, beating both holiday and non-holiday releases, in Bollywood.
Though the stars of the film were not seen hopping from one TV show to another to promote their latest offering, they tried other innovative marketing strategies like launching an extensive range of merchandise and dolls.