'X-Men' packs a punch in opening week

New Delhi: Director Matthew Vaughn and his writers did a fascinating job in depicting the mutant universe, their fears and their need to belong in X-Men: First Class and the action-adventure flick has not only received rave reviews, it has earned rich dividends at the Indian box office by grossing Rs.14.5 crore in the opening week.

Starring James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, Fox Star Studios' action offering has reportedly received the biggest opening for a non-3D Hollywood movie in 2011. It has surpassed weekend collections of the franchise's previous films in the country, including the 2009 super hit X-Men Origins: Wolverine starring Hugh Jackman by grossing Rs.10.02 crore in the opening weekend.

"X-Men is doing very well till now. The first week saw 80 percent occupancy and second week is 70 percent. People are really liking the film despite the original guy Hugh Jackman not being in the film. The film is supposed to be a prequel to X-Men series. The previous films have created lot of excitement so people are curious to see the new film," Munish Sharma, general manager (marketing) Satyam Cineplexes, told.

Apart from the original, the dubbed versions of X-Men: First Class in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu too hit the screens here.

"The film is doing well in metros and the occupancy is between 80 to 90 percent," Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (Cinemas) of Wave Cinemas, told.

Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the film's focus is on Erik Lensherr or Magneto, beginning with the same scene that the first X-Men opened to in a concentration camp. It moves through his hatred of the man who killed his father.

Vaughn teamed up with Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz and Jane Goldman to write the screenplay of the movie.

"X-Men: First Class is an exceptionally well made film packed with a gripping storyline and splendid performances. We are glad that audiences from across the country are appreciating the film's entertainment value and given the strong word of mouth coming from all centres, we are confident that the film will have an extended run," said Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studios India, in a statement.

The film is doing well in the US as well and it features second on the online edition of New York Times box office top five list, while the Washington Post newspaper website has listed it in the best five critics' pick.