'Sairat' becomes the highest grossing Marathi film

Mumbai, May 13: Director Nagraj Manjule's 'Sairat' has collected huge numbers within just 11 days at the box office and has become the top grossing film in the history of Marathi cinema. It has taken over this mantle from Zee Studios' 'Natsamrat Asa Nat Hone Nahi', directed by Mahesh Manjrekar.

The makers of this love story, featuring Rinku Rajguru and Akash Thosar, believe that by next week, it will set a new benchmark that will be the highest figure achieved by any Marathi movie. Over the last three years, the studio's Marathi films division has given back-to-back blockbusters like 'Timepass', 'Lai Bhaari', 'Timepass 2' and 'Natsamrat Asa Nat Hone Nahi'.

Opening in 400 cinema houses with 8,500 shows, the romantic drama expanded its reach to 496 cinema houses with 14,000 shows in its first week itself. Its soundtrack, created by composer duo Ajay-Atul, has also struck a chord with listeners. Nittin Keni CEO and Founder of Essel Vision, which has produced it under the studio's banner, says, "The success of 'Sairat' is important to us and the Marathi film industry. We feel proud that we have been able to achieve a consecutive success, which is a rare thing. Marathi cinema is breaking boundaries yet again. The response is incredible and has proved how the Marathi audience has matured."

Manjule exclaims, "I am overwhelmed. This honour is not just for the movie but for all the admirers of Marathi cinema who have supported it."