Nonpareil plot, colourful
characters, exotic location, flamboyant costumes, cheesy dialogues, songs,
dance are common objects that typified Bollywood in its non-traditional
markets. Although, our industry tries time to time to break this tradition
morality by making unconventional new age movies that might be recipe for
global audiences too, apart from India. But, things have been not working out
rightly as far now; we haven't achieved satisfying consequence yet. We can’t
deny that many Hindi movies have got huge box office success in international
market, but those movies are been mainly star driven and only lure NRI's,
Indians who live outside of India. In many Asian and European continents like
India's neighbour countries Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal have domination of
Bollywood. But then again, they don't get proper theatrical release there and piracy
is savior for them.
So, here question is, what impediments there are that works as fraction
for our industry, not letting to establish a strong and consistent recognise in
International market. And, we might find the answer of all questions in
worldwide achievements of
The Lunchbox.
The Lunchbox.
This is one of the most important movie happened in Bollywood. Worldwide
success of highly critical epistolary love story, directed by Ritesh Batra starring Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqi and Nimrat Kaur as lead role, The
Lunchbox depicts not only a beautiful story, rather lot of things, solves lot
of questions our industry has been seeking for. Internationally co-produced
this movie has re-written history and proved that with decent strategies
Bollywood can achieve every single possibility. And, I as a film lover strongly
want Bollywood maker to learn from this movie. So, we're here to give a write
up how, how much, where, what, when did The Lunchbox make money on
international markets.
How Much, Where And When
Made on 9 crores
production budget having 6.25 crores
marketing cost, The Lunchbox released over 70 countries, still running in many
countries and is to be release in rest, got such laudatory reviews across
countries as well as grossed unimaginable box office across all over the world that might be
astonished many of you. So, first have a look of its collection.
Worldwide Box
Office Of The Lunchbox
S.No.
|
Country
|
Release
Date
|
Box
Office (USD)
|
Box
Office(INR)
|
1
|
Argentina
|
3rd July
2013
|
$45,626
|
0.28 cr
|
2
|
Australia
|
10th
July 2013
|
$1,254,462
|
7.71 cr
|
3
|
Austria
|
13th Dec
2013
|
$239,926
|
1.47 cr
|
4
|
Belgium
|
11th Dec
2013
|
$212,057
|
1.3 cr
|
5
|
Brazil
|
28th Feb
2014
|
$119582
|
0.73 cr
|
6
|
Bulgaria
|
13th
June 2014
|
$15,325
|
0.94 cr
|
8
|
Canada
|
21th Mar
2014
|
$970000
|
5.96 cr
|
7
|
Colombia
|
14th Aug
2014
|
$106,956
|
0.65 cr
|
9
|
Czech
republic
|
30th Aug
2014
|
$10,407
|
0.06 cr
|
10
|
Finland
|
4th Apr
2014
|
$92,718
|
0.57 cr
|
11
|
France
|
11th Dec
2013
|
$4,100,000
|
27.22 cr
|
12
|
Germany
|
21th Nov
2013
|
$1,700,000
|
11.29 cr
|
13
|
Greece
|
4th Sep
2013
|
$34,372
|
0.21 cr
|
14
|
Hong
Kong
|
6th
March 2014
|
$185,048
|
1.13 cr
|
16
|
India
|
28th Sep
2013
|
$4,688,000
|
28.6 cr
|
15
|
Italy
|
28th Nov
2013
|
$554,000
|
3.68 cr
|
17
|
Mexico
|
14th Mar
2014
|
$144,673
|
0.89 cr
|
18
|
Netherlands
|
12th Dec
2013
|
$122,000
|
0.75 cr
|
19
|
New
Zealand
|
18th Sep
2014
|
$189,251
|
1.16 cr
|
20
|
Norway
|
11th Apr
2014
|
$171,202
|
1.05 cr
|
21
|
Singapore
|
27th Mar
2014
|
$47,541
|
0.29 cr
|
22
|
Spain
|
30th Apr
2014
|
$169,192
|
1.04 cr
|
23
|
Sweden
|
25th Apr
2014
|
$448,856
|
2.76 cr
|
24
|
Switzerland
|
29th Sep
2013
|
$714,700
|
4.36 cr
|
25
|
Thailand
|
10th Apr
2014
|
$50,656
|
0.31 cr
|
26
|
Turkey
|
25th Apr
2014
|
$16,423
|
0.10 cr
|
27
|
UAE
|
11th Dec
2013
|
$500,000
|
3.07 cr
|
28
|
United Kingdom
|
11th Apr
2014
|
$800,271
|
4.92 cr
|
29
|
USA
|
28th Feb
2014
|
$4,235,151
|
26 cr
|
Total
|
$22,500,000
|
138.5 cr
|
*. All data have
been compiled from various sources like Boxofficemojo, Rentrack, and Dar Motion
Picture.
*. It’s estimated data since The Lunchbox is still running in many countries and also we couldn’t fetched box office of some big countries where it released like Japan. So, actual figure might be even bigger than it.
*. It’s estimated data since The Lunchbox is still running in many countries and also we couldn’t fetched box office of some big countries where it released like Japan. So, actual figure might be even bigger than it.
Ø The Lunchbox is
rare movies which has done more business in overseas market than its domestic
market. So far now only four Indian movies have achieved this feat.
Domestic Market VS Overseas Market
S.No
|
Title
|
Year
|
Domestic BO
|
Overseas BO
|
1
|
Monsoon Wedding
|
2001-02
|
7.46 crores
|
121.9 crores
|
2
|
The Lunchbox
|
2013-14
|
28.6 crores
|
110 crores
|
3
|
My Name Is Khan
|
2010
|
71 crores
|
106 crores
|
4
|
Water
|
2005-06
|
1.68 crores
|
44.4 crores
|
Briefing Of
Accolades & Box Office For Big Markets
India: The Lunchbox released on 28th
September 2013 over limited 386 screens in India, distributed by Walt Disney UTV Studio. Upon release, The Lunchbox received widespread critical acclaim.
The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a score of 96% based on
reviews from 92 critics. Other Indian review aggregator; BollywoodMovieReviewz and Review Gang both mentioned that The Lunchbox received the highest aggregate
score of any Indian films earning a 4.38/5 and a 10/10 respectively. The rating
has calculated by average rating of all popular Bollywood critic websites
ratings.
The Lunchbox started
slowly grossed 1.25 crores on its opening day. But, rave reviews by critics and
good word of mouth among movies buff helped to boost its business that is
visible by its weekend collection 7.1 crores. It sustained afterward and finished
giving profitable business total 28.6 crores, despite it hadn't regular
content.
![]() |
A Movie Still From The Lunchbox |
First Weekend: 7.1
crores
First Week: 11.58
crores
Second Week: 7.25
crores
Total: 28.6 crores
European Countries: It's very interesting that a small film The Lunchbox did extensive business in non-traditional market. It ranked in combined Rs. 47.46 crores from only five European countries of France, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands. That is very rare, almost bigger than any Bollywood movies released in that territory.
In Germany, The Lunchbox has been grossed 11.29
crores there, completed consecutive 40 weeks and still running in theaters. In
term of longest running movies, this is far ahead of any Indian movies have
released there yet. Even it makes Hollywood to think hard of it.
![]() |
French poster of The Lunchbox |
Allocine.fr is a film portal website, treated as IMDb of France, which is frequently visited by Frances. I'm comparing some of biggest hit of Bollywood movies with this gem called The Lunchbox. You may get your answer.
Indian Movies At Allocine Having Highest Number Of Voters
S.No
|
Title
|
Year
|
No Of Votes
|
Rating
|
1
|
2013
|
1,948
|
4
|
|
2
|
2002
|
1,175
|
3.7
|
|
3
|
2010
|
628
|
4.2
|
|
4
|
2001
|
614
|
3.6
|
|
5
|
2004
|
321
|
3.6
|
|
6
|
2003
|
278
|
3.3
|
|
7
|
2001
|
255
|
3.5
|
|
8
|
1998
|
180
|
4.1
|
|
9
|
2013
|
166
|
3.4
|
|
10
|
2008
|
145
|
4.2
|
|
11
|
2012
|
140
|
4.2
|
|
12
|
2012
|
135
|
3.4
|
*. Barring Lagaan, Ugly and Gangs Of Wasseypur, all are love story. It’s pretty clear that they are very fond of Bollywood love stories and when it comes to love stories Shah Rukh Khan has no match, neither in India nor outside. Nevertheless, The Lunchbox having no face value achieved grand success that could be watershed for other Indian films.
*. It also convinces that director
Anurag Kashyap, one of the producer of this film, has good recognize in France.
Three films from the list belongs to him, among them Ugly is still to be
release in India.
USA: The lunchbox
achievements in this territory can't be used up in few words. So, I've come
with some of surprising exposure.
Release Date: February 28, 2014
Total Gross: $4.2 million
(INR:26 crores)
Opening Weekend
Screen Count: 3
Highest Screen
Count: 165; that happened on 9th week.
This screen count is similar than many biggies Indian movies released in USA
where they get these kind of wide screens in opening weekend itself.
Present Screen
Count: 4, that is even
more than what it got before 30 weeks on its release date. Amazing, isn't it??
Running Status: 224 days (32 weeks) as far
now, still running. In term of all time
longest running Indian movies in USA, The Lunchbox is about to top.
Longest Running Indian Movies Of All Time In USA
S.No.
|
Title
|
ReleaseDate
|
Close
Date
|
In
Release
|
1
|
The
Lunchbox
|
Feb 28,
2014
|
Nil
|
224
days/32 weeks
|
2
|
Monsoon
Wedding
|
Feb 22,
2002
|
Oct 3,
2002
|
224 days/32
weeks
|
3
|
Water
|
Apr 28,
2006
|
Oct 15,
2006
|
175
days/25 weeks
|
4
|
My Name
Is Khan
|
Feb 12,
2010
|
May 6,
2010
|
84days/12
weeks
|
5
|
3 Idiots
|
Dec 23,
2009
|
Mar11,
2010
|
79days/11.3
weeks
|
- It is not only Indian movies whom The Lunchbox is giving stiff competition. Infact, It’s the longest running movies of 2014 released in USA as far now.
Longest Running Movies In USA (Released
In 2014 Only)
S.No
|
Title
|
ReleaseDate
|
Close
Date
|
In
Release
|
1
|
The
Lunchbox
|
Feb 28,
2014
|
Nil
|
224days/32 weeks
|
2
|
The Lego
Movie
|
Feb 27,
2014
|
Sep 4,
2014
|
210days/ 30weeks
|
3
|
Mr.
Peabody & Sherman
|
Mar 7,
2014
|
Sep 14,
2014
|
182
days/26weeks
|
4
|
The
Grand Budapest Hotel
|
Mar 7,
2014
|
Aug 28,
2014
|
175
days/25 weeks
|
5
|
Rio 2
|
Apr 11,
2014
|
Sep 4,
2014
|
147days/21 weeks
|
6
|
Captain America
2
|
Apr 4,
2014
|
Aug 21,
2014
|
140
days/20 days
|
7
|
God's
Not Dead
|
Mar 21,
2014
|
Aug 7,
2014
|
140
days/20 days
|
Box
Office Status: What
to say? See yourself.
Indian Movies In List Of Foreign Language Movies At USA Box Office
S.No
|
Name Of
Movie
|
Release Date
|
BO (USD)
|
BO(INR)
|
Rank
|
1
|
Monsoon
Wedding
|
Feb 22,
2002
|
$13.9 mil
|
66.6 cr
|
14th
|
2
|
Dhoom 3
|
Dec 20,
2013
|
$8.03 mil
|
47.37 cr
|
31th
|
3
|
3 Idiots
|
Dec 23,
2009
|
$6.53 mil
|
30.22 cr
|
47th
|
4
|
Water
|
Apr 25,
2006
|
$5.52 mil
|
24.56 cr
|
61th
|
5
|
Chennai Express
|
Aug 8,
2013
|
$5.3
mil
|
31.27 cr
|
67th
|
6
|
The
Lunchbox
|
Feb 28,
2014
|
$4.23 mil
|
26 cr
|
83th
|
7
|
My Name
Is Khan
|
Feb 12,
2010
|
$4.01 mil
|
18.9 cr
|
91th
|
8
|
Yeh
Jawaani Hai Deewani
|
May 31,
2013
|
$3.82 mil
|
21.58 cr
|
99th
|
How Did It Happen?
Story
First and foremost things, the story of
the film is fairly universal and non-controversial, and relatable to a foreign
audience despite its cultural specific.
Dar Motion Pictures' producer, Vivek Rangachari quotes, "I feel the success of this film is due to the global nature of the subject and its beautiful treatment. One of the learnings is that there is a large non-diaspora market ready to accept honest good Indian content. As they say, the more local the content, the more global its appeal."
According to film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh, it is a clear indication that powerful content can drive business globally. "It is a victory for content. If you see, there is no major star in the film. While Irrfan has some visibility in certain foreign markets like US and UK, female lead Nimrat is a newcomer even for the Indian audiences. For a movie to do so well, its content has to catch foreign audience's attention."
Official cross-border production
However, powerful content is only
half the battle won. It needed to have a strong distribution plan to make the
most of their foreign outing. “We could have got Dar Motion Pictures to invest all the money needed
for the film. But we wanted it be an official international co-production”, says Ritesh Batra, director of The Lunchbox. His
strategies worked out big time and helped this film to be turned out in a
historical successful film across all over the world. The film is an official co-production between India, France and Germany.
India has bilateral co-production treaties with Canada, Germany, Italy, France,
Spain, Brazil and the UK, among other countries.
Production Companies
Note: Sikhya Entertainment was previously known as Anurag Kashyap Film Pvt. Ltd.
"The film was heavily structured. There is an entity which has a 1% share of the profits and you value that" says Guneet Monga, producer and CEO at Sikhya Entertainment, the lead producer of the film.”
Advantages Of Cross-Border Production
1. Access to public funds of others countries; Europe, unlike the
US and India, puts a lot of public money in cinema and by virtue of being an
official co-production, The Lunchbox's French and German producers could access
their respective public funds for the film. The film had a predominantly international
crew, with Michael Simmonds, who shot Paranormal Activity 2, as the director of
photography, and Max Richter, who worked on the Oscar-nominated animated film,
Waltz with Bashir, as the composer. So that access to technicians of those
countries, which in some cases is mandatory if their public money is involved.
Moreover, the film was edited in executive producer Lydia Pilcher's office in
New York and the music and sound was done in Berlin and the picture
post-production was done in Paris.
2. Better distribution prospects; Since the distributor in the country which is co-producing the film gets financial support. In other global markets, it indeed was a conscious decision to partner with different distributors/distribution agencies. These distributors are leaders in their own region; the key criterion here was that they would be the best suited to ensure an optimal release for the film.
3. Better telecast prospects in
those countries; Arte, a Franco-German TV network,
acquired the TV rights for the film. If The Lunchbox had been just an Indian
production, getting the kind of theatrical release it got in France and Germany
would have been an insurmountable task.
Another
Factor Who Worked Out For The Lunchbox:
*. International Touch: Karsten Stoter,
one of the co-producer of this film, notes that the multinational crew gave the
film an international art-house touch. Names like Pilcher, Anurag Kashyap, a
producer of the film, and Danis Tanovic, director of the Oscar-winning No Man'sLand who was a co-producer of the film, certainly helped generate interest in
the film at festivals.
*. Film Festivals generated curiosity: The Lunchbox was selected to be part of the International Critics Week at Cannes Film Festival in 2013, where it won the viewers' choice award. The film went to several other festivals; include Telluride Film Festival in Colorado, US, and the Toronto International Film Festival. "One of the lessons from The Lunchbox's success is how to build a film in the festival circuit, generate a conversation around it, and get the excitement back into the country for a theatrical release," says Ajit Andhare, chief operating officer, Viacom18 MotionPictures.
Conclusion??
"If films like Kahaani, Vicky Donor and Madras Cafe had the kind of collaboration The Lunchbox had, they could have become international films. How do we have so many American releases here but not many Indian releases abroad? We are not thinking on these terms, we are not encouraging our directors to take that route," says Irrfan Khan, actor of The Lunchbox who also worked for Hollywood films like The Amazing Spider Man and Life Of Pi.
We’re Thankful To,
Dar Motion Picture
Team
![]()
Ankit Prakash is not a writer. He is just a simple movie lover. He is a member of Team Bollywood CineTalk. This write up was written by him accidentally, partially. ;-)
| |||
Great Analysis, must have done very hard work to collect all this information.
ReplyDeleteSeriously very detailed analysis.. ����
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brother!
Delete