We anticipate tremendous potential in this beautiful drama, says E Sstars CEO, Allen Liu of Bajrangi Bhaijaan which will be released in over 8000 screens in China in keeping with its huge anticipation

By Manishaa R

Will Salman Khan’s 2015 box-office hit, Bajrangi Bhaijaan make him the new Indian sensation at the China box-office? Going by the massive release plans for the film in China on March 2 in 8000 screens which is bigger than Aamir Khan’s Dangal (7000 screens) and his just released Secret Superstar (in 5000 screens), it appears that Chinese distributor E Stars, are leaving no stone unturned to make the Salman Khan starrer a grand success.

According to a report in Variety.com quoting E Stars CEO, Allen Liu, there is tremendous anticipation surrounding the China release of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which rides on emotions of courage and hope. “There is high expectation and curiosity for the film post the success of recent Indian releases in China and the positive word of mouth Bajrangi Bhaijaan enjoys.  We anticipate tremendous potential in this beautiful drama starring one of the most popular actors in Indian cinema in a film that speaks the language of emotions like courage and hope, which are universal,” Liu was quoted saying. It may be recalled that E Stars is one of the pioneering China distributors of Indian films, which also released the first installment of Baahubali.

“We anticipate tremendous potential in this beautiful drama starring one of the most popular actors in Indian cinema” – Allen Liu, CEO, E Stars, China distributor of Bajrangi Bhaijaan

As of now it is Aamir Khan’s Secret Superstar that has got the Chinese audiences hooked with an incredible debut weekend at Rs 173 cr (27million).  China entertainment consultant and producer, Robert Cain who has been closely tracking the box-office business of Secret Superstar earlier endorsed Aamir’s superstar status in China in a Forbes report, “There is actually a movie-going country that showers more love on Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan than does even his home country of India, where he has been making movies for 45 years,” he wrote, predicting the total business of Secret Superstar at a possible Rs 635 crore (100 million).  On the other hand, China’s popular movie-ticketing site Maoyan had last projected lifetime revenue of $84 milion (Rs 540 crore) for the film.

Meanwhile Eros International, which had produced the film in association with Salman Khan, is counting on the film to create a storm at the box-office especially in view of the fact that there are no international releases around the same period. Jyoti Deshpande, Group CEO, Eros International said, “We are delighted to partner with E Stars to showcase our film to China. Our Indo-China co-productions are still in the making, which we are extremely excited about. Meanwhile, what better film than Bajrangi Bhaijaan, starring one of India’s most loved superstars that weaves the universal story of cross-border friendship, to release in a growing market like China. There are no international films releasing during that period in China so we hope to have a fantastic run at the box office in the world’s biggest film market.”