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Bollywood's original action hero, Akshay Kumar, has once again wowed audiences across the globe with new film Rowdy Rathore, which marks his eagerly awaited return to the action movie arena. With a substantial absence from the stunt-laden, action-packed films we are used to from 'Akki', he has come back high-kicking with Rowdy Rathore, which has become the biggest non-holiday Friday grossing film and Akshay Kumar's biggest box office smash hit to date, with a total worldwide collection of Rs 66.50 Crores net (£77,80,500) in its opening weekend on 1st June 2012.

Rowdy Rathore has garnered fantastic reviews across India, with audience figures and box office collections signifying its huge popularity. The film took Rs 57 Crores at cinemas in India alone in it's opening weekend.

Elated with the response the film has got, Akshay Kumar said 'When we had gone to a few cinema houses we had seen people dancing in theatres, whistling and having fun...and it feels great to see this kind of response. I heard that in Rajasthan, there are about eight lakh Rajput Rathore, dressed in traditional avatar, are all set to watch the film together." The actor added, "It is a big thing for me. Even if I don't get an award it's ok, but it is this reward that makes me happy." 

Rowdy Rathore has also received an excellent response at the UAE box office, with the highest takings for the movie in its first weekend coming from a foreign country. The film released in more than 150 cinemas in the UAE and collected Rs 3.17 Crores ($5,70,000). The second highest collection for Rowdy Rathore from a foreign Box Office came from the USA, where the movie brought in Rs 2.12 Crores ($3,81,784) net from 120 screens in America in its opening weekend. The film has collected Rs 1.24 Crores (£1,45,541) from 60 screens in the UK and Ireland in the first three days of its release.

Generating mass interest amongst film critics and trade press, renowned film aficionado Taran Adarsh gave 'Rowdy Rathore' a 4-star rating and describes the film as 'Vivid colors, rustic background and conventional dance routines... Rowdy Rathore follows the existing trend to create more homespun, home-flavored Desi movies rather than pursue the money-spinning NRI souk that has, until recently, been the order of the day. The screenplay packs a solid punch."   

Talking about Khiladi Kumar's performance in the film, Taran added: 'Akshay Kumar is cast in a double role - one as a cop and the second as a petty thief, and both the roles are custom-made for the endearing actor. As Shiva, he entertains the masses, whereas as Vikram Rathod, he aims at serious movie lovers. The movie bestows Akshay with abundant opportunity to flaunt each shade of his skill." 

Rowdy Rathore is in cinemas nationwide.