Telugu movie "Lion", which happens to be Nandamuri Balakrishna's 98th film, has opened to an overwhelming response at box offices worldwide on Thursday. .
"Lion" has been creating a positive buzz ever since debutant director Satyadeva announced it. The promos of the film have raised viewers' expectations to sky high. Considering the huge success of Balayya's last outing "Legend", the makers planned for a massive release. They also made ticket booking for the film available much in advance.
The Nandamuri Balakrishna starrer registered around 70 percent of advance booking and the huge demand encouraged more number of cinema halls across the globe. "Lion" was released in 650 cinema halls in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and around 350 screens in other parts of India and international markets on 14 May.
The makers of "Lion" held benefit shows at many centres across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the wee hours of Thursday and the movie got an overwhelming response. Its screening was cancelled in some theatres due to some financial issues.
Having garnered positive opinions from viewers, "Lion" got a good response for its first show, running to packed houses in many centres in both the states. It also got a thunderous opening in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and other parts of India, apart from the US and Canada, where it is being screened in over 100 cinema halls.
"Lion" has registered an average of 80 to 90 percent occupancy in theatres across the world. The strong word-of-mouth is expected to take its collection further in the evening and night shows.
Early trends indicate that the film will beat the record of "Legend", which is the biggest grosser for a Balakrishna movie on the first day.
