Blockbuster ‘RRR’ Is Back, This Time At Arthouses In A New Move For Indian Film – Specialty Preview
10.06.2022 - 19:03
/ deadline.com
S.S. Rajamouli’s RRR, a huge hit when it opened in March, is dipping back into the U.S. market in a novel and, so far, successful bid by distributors to expand the reach of the Telegu period drama beyond the traditional audience for Indian film.
Originally out March 23 on 1,000 screens, wide for an Indian release Stateside, RRR (Rise! Roar! Revolt!) grossed more than $14 million in North America, and over $140 million globally. In India, the epic story of two friends who discover they’re on opposite sides of India’s struggle for independence (Deadline review here), smashed records to set the best opening day for a local film ever. That was director Rajamouli topping his own previous record-holder in the market, 2017’s Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. See Rajamouli interview.
Indian films are a staple of the U.S. box office but rarely stick around for more than a week. Everyone in the know rushes out to see them immediately then theaters make room for the next arrival. They are also the only foreign language and specialty fare not to play arthouse cinemas.
That made it unusual when Variance Films and Potentate Films, in association with Sarigama Cinemas and Rafter Creations, re-released RRR on June 1 for one-night screenings at 123 theaters across the country including arthouse chains. Presales were good so they added additional runs last weekend in NYC and LA (IFC Center and Glendale, a show-a-day weeklong run) and weekend shows at Alamo Drafthouse Austin.
The re-release grossed $12.9k this week on four screens for a cume of $80,374 heading into the weekend. Some 90% to 95% of the audience has been non-Indian.
It expands this weekend to a full screen at the IFC and Laemmle Glendale. In NYC, it adds BAM Rose Cinema (week-long
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