WELCOME - Akshay's biggest overseas hit of 2007

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While WELCOME is now officially India's second biggest grosser in 2007 after OM SHANTI OM in 2007, it continues to make big money on overseas as well.

After the fourth weekend, collections of WELCOME stand at £885,734 which makes it the second highest grossing movie of 2007 in the UK & Ireland. 2007 saw three other Akshay films releasing worldwide - NAMASTEY LONDON, HEYY BABYY and BHOOL BHULAIYAA. Super success of WELCOME with collections as an evidence establish by default that it is the biggest of these four Akshay releases of 2007 in this territory.

Worldwide, WELCOME was marketed and distributed by Indian Films. Remarks Tanuj Garg, Head of the UK and Europe at Studio 18, "After JAB WE MET, am delighted by the resounding success of WELCOME. An incredible amount of planning went into making it a mega release and the effort has clearly paid off."

With the writing being clear on the wall, it seems obvious that the Top 5 films in the UK read OM SHANTI OM, WELCOME, NAMASTEY LONDON, PARTNER and SALAAM-E-ISHQ. While there are two Akshay films in this list, remaining three have a Khan in the lead (OM SHANTI OM - Shahrukh Khan, PARTNER and SALAAM-E-ISHQ - Salman Khan).

Adds Tanuj, "2007 indeed had some big releases in this market and among our formidable competitors were Akshay's other releases! With WELCOME, he's had his biggest hit of 2007 in the UK."

Director Anees Bazmee concurs, "I gave close to two years of my life in making this film. In spite of all the struggle that went into making the film reach the finishing mark, none of us from the cast or crew ever had doubts around the film being accepted worldwide by the audience. It was the faith of everyone involved with the project which kept us strong willed in ensuring that the film clicks with the masses."

Some industry folks are still shocked with the box office outcome of WELCOME, isn't it? Laughs the soft spoken director, "A few cynics may have carried dreams to pull the film down but they never got a chance to do so the moment box office counters opened. With collections like these in both India as well as overseas, it is bound that everyone notices the kind of success the film has achieved."