'Baahubali 2' collects over Rs 400 crore in opening weekend

S.S. Rajamouli`s magnum opus "Baahubali 2: The Conclusion" has raked in over Rs 400 crore at the ticket windows in its opening weekend worldwide, according to trade experts.

The second part in the "Baahubali" franchise has rewritten box office records -- and how. After zooming past the Rs 100 crore mark on its first day of release on April 28, its opening weekend collection has raised the bar.

Filmmaker Karan Johar, who has presented the Hindi dubbed version of the film, tweeted: "Historic Weekend! Here is the Hindi language all-India Friday (Rs 41 crore), Saturday (Rs 40.5 crore), Sunday (Rs 46.5 crore). Grand total Rs 128 crore."

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted: "The wave is unstoppable. `Baahubali 2` creates new record."

Adarsh pointed out how the opening weekend figures of "Baahubali 2" had surpassed Bollywood biggies such as Salman Khan`s "Sultan" and Aamir Khan`s "Dangal".

"Sultan" had minted Rs 105.53 crore upon a Wednesday release, and "Dangal" amassed Rs 107.01 crore, he said.

"Baahubali 2" also happens to be the first Hindi dubbed film to breach the Rs 100 crore club. It has also been released in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.

In Telugu states, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the second part in the "Baahubali" franchise could have garnered over Rs 100 crore.

"Sunday numbers are yet to come in. Going by early estimates, the film could have easily grossed over Rs 100 crore from Telangana and Andhra. It has already broken every record of all other big Telugu films," trade analyst Anand Vanga told IANS.

Trinath, another trade analyst, said there`s no stopping the film at the box office.

"With no competition, the film is making a killing at the ticket window. It could be the first Telugu film to even gross over Rs 200 crore only from Telangana and Andhra. For the next two weeks, the film will have an uninterrupted run at the cinemas," he said.

In Tamil Nadu, where the film released in nearly 650 screens, it is estimated that the film might have grossed over Rs 30 crore in its opening weekend.

"The official numbers are still being calculated. Sources from within the industry say that the film could have raked in over Rs 30 crore in the state.

"If the early morning shows on April 28 were not cancelled, it could have easily minted another Rs 5 crore," Trinath said, citing a financial dispute between the producers of the film and its Tamil Nadu distributor.

In Kerala, according to the film`s distributor Global United Media, the film has reportedly grossed over Rs. 20 crore in the first three days.

In the US, the film was released via Great India Films, who said in a statement that the film has minted $10.49 million (Rs 68 crore).

From other parts of the world, the film is said to have collected Rs 71 crore in its first three days, trade gurus said.