RASCALS collects Rs 8.63 crores on opening day!

Sanjay Dutt Productions and Rupali Aum Entertainment's Dussehra bonanza RASCALS has hit the right cord with the audiences. The comic flick, starring Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Kangana Ranaut, Lisa Haydon and Arjun Rampal, directed by David Dhawan has done stupendous business on its opening day.

A Movie Still From Rascals

The movie released on Thursday 6th October, and has garnered an outstanding collection of Rs. 8.63 crores on the first day itself, making it the fourth highest for 2011, after READY, Ajay Devgn's own SINGHAM and BODYGUARD. This was despite a limited release & low ticket prices compared to the weekends. Trade pundits even go to say that if the tickets were priced at the regular rates, then the movie could have grossed higher and maybe even crossed Rs. 11 crores on the opening day. 

Packed with hilarious performances from the film's cast and some chartbusting music, the movie has won a lot of appreciation form audiences all over. With a strong, positive word of mouth and a long weekend ahead, the industry is expecting a bumper opening for the film!

'Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn get along well'

David Dhawan on casting Dutt and Devgn together in his next!

You have repeatedly said that Rascals will remind us of Govinda-David Dhawan combination of the 90's. What change do you notice between then and now in handling the genre of comedy?
Earlier, in the 90's when I made comedies with Govinda, it was a rare genre. Audience was more into emotional dramas and film makers were not very confident about making comedies. They were scared. But today the scenario is different. Comedies are not necessarily small budget films. Audience is also lapping it up, there are many film makers taking that genre seriously and so are the actors. These days many A-grade stars are doing comedies. And if we bring in emotion along with comedy it works wonders.

Why did you decide to cast Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn?
I have directed Sanjay in many films. And then, Sanjay and Ajay get along very well, they are very good friends off-screen. I think it is the best combination. As a pair they are super. When doing a comedy, it is very important that two people are good friends, it becomes easier for a director while shooting. And one very special thing about them is that both of them are very secure actors. Otherwise actors feel very insecure and worried about what clothes the other has got, whether they have got a better line, dialogues, etc. Sanjay and Ajay are my obedient students. They would never worry about these little things.

But you must be missing those days when you had the monopoly of making some wonderful comedies with Govinda who cannot be beaten in this genre because of his unmatched comic timing..
This film will remind you of Govinda and my combination. But yes, I certainly miss those days. I used to have a great time working with him and we would make films at very short intervals. Govinda will always be remembered for his great talent and comic timing, nobody can take that away from him. We have done lot of work together and he can still do it. But then I want to work with everybody, not just Govinda.