"West is West" secures highest screen average in UK

London, Feb 28 (PTI) West is West, the sequel to household favourite East is East, has secured the highest screen average of the new openers at the UK Box office this weekend.



Starring veteran Bollywood actor Om Puri and 16 year-old debutant Aqib Khan, the long-awaited follow up released by Icon Film Distribution, has received a warm welcome, grossing 760,000 pounds in its three-day opening weekend.



Being shown on 184 screens across the country with an average of 4,096 pounds each, West is West surpasses the previous record of 435,000 pounds set by East is East, and beat competition from romcom No Strings Attached, starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman and action movie Drive Angry starring Nicolas Cage.



The top three cinemas attracting the highest footfall include Vue Star City, Birmingham at 29,000 pounds, Cineworld, Bradford at 22,000 pounds and the Odeon Trafford Centre, Manchester at 17,000 pounds.



The film, written by the same screen-writer, Ayub Khan-Din, sees the return of the much loved Khan family and reunites original cast members Om Puri, Linda Bassett, Lesley Nicol, Emil Marwa and Jimi Mistry from East is East, which opened on May 11, 1999 and went on to gross 10.4 million pounds.



Vice President of Distribution & Publicity, Zak Brilliant at Icon Film Distribution said: “Following the critically acclaimed success of East is East, West is West has been one of the most highly anticipated sequels of the decade and the figures at the UK box office truly reflect that.



Credit goes to writer Ayub Khan-Din”s and producer Leslee Udwin for keeping the adventures of the Khan family very much alive.



“We are very proud to be associated with this hugely popular film, and to have worked with some of the best acting talent in both India and UK.



“We could not have hoped for a better start and hope that it continues to be successful.” PTI HSR



Original Article