MUMBAI: There were no releases on the last Friday of 2012 leaving the week open for Salman Khan starrer Dabangg2. The film, which was given an exhaustive release with as many as 3,500 screens and multiple shows per day as well as an increase in admission rates, collected Rs 995 million in its first week.

While the number of screens remained high in the second week, the ticket rates were pared to the normal. The film has collected about Rs 190 million taking its 10-day total to Rs 1.16 billion. The film is the sequel to Dabangg which released in 2011. The second instalment of Chulbul Pandey‘s heroics is also the debut ground for Salman Khan‘s brother Arbaaz Khan. The 2011 film was directed by Abhinav Kashyap.

Akshay Kumar and Asin starrer Khiladi 786 added Rs 11.5 million to its tally in its third week taking its total to 647.5 million.

Amir Khan's suspense thriller Talaash collected Rs 10.5 million in its fourth week taking its total collection to Rs 938.1 million.

The first Friday of January is as a rule avoided by major filmmakers as the record over the years has been that a film released on the day turns out a flop. However, the first Friday of 2013 has four films lined up for release of which one, Table No 21, holds some interest due to the presence of Paresh Rawal in the cast. The exhibition trade, however, holds more hope from 11 January when Vishal Bhardwaj's Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola is slated for release along with Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam.