Batman saga's final instalment to release across 1,000 screens

The caped crusader is back to save the city of Gotham with an epic finale. The last chapter of Christopher Nolan’s rebooted version of Batman will hit theatres this Friday across over 1,000 screens, making it one of the widest Hollywood releases in India.

Other Hollywood movies to have such wide release include the recently released Amazing Spider-Man 3D splashing over 1,150 screens and The Avengers with around 850 screens. James Cameron’s Avatar (2009) was released across 762 screens, while Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol (2011) was released on 700 screens. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 2 (2011) and Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon were released on around 600 screens.

This final instalment would be released in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu in 2D and Imax formats. The earlier release, The Dark Knight, released in 2008 with 350 prints, grossed Rs 19 crore, while the first movie, Batman Begins, did a business of Rs 5.2 crore. It was released in 150 prints in 2005. However, Christopher Nolan’s last movie in 2010, Inception, grossed Rs 31 crore.

“This is the most anticipated release of 2012 and has a big fan following,” said Murli Chhatwani, business head-distribution and syndication, DAR films distributors, which has reportedly bought the rights of the movie from Warner Bros for Rs 16.5 crore. In India, Warner Bros has tied up with Nokia, Cadbury Bournville, Asus, Citizen and Garnier Men.

The film, based on DC Comics, is expected to be a spectacular and thrilling conclusion to Christopher Nolan’ Batman trilogy. Christian Bale repeats his role as Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Batman. The film comes eight years after the events of the second instalment, The Dark Knight, where Wayne’s fortunes had dwindled, his body weakened and his alter ego dealing with the death of Harvey Dent, district attorney of Gotham city.

The film introduces the characters of Selina Kyle and terrorist leader Bane, portrayed by Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy, respectively. The cast also includes Morgan Freeman and Micheal Caine in their earlier roles. A few scenes of the movie have been filmed in Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhphur, Rajasthan.

Trade analysts believe The Dark Knight Rises could have competition from Bollywood, as Saif Ali Khan’s Cocktail and Fox Star Studios’ Bol Bachchan are doing well at the box office. In its opening weekend, Coctkail collected Rs 36 crore, while Bol Bachchan has netted Rs 82.44 crore so far.

“The dubbed versions in the south could be affected due to Telugu movie Eega and Tamil movie Billa 2, starring Ajith Kumar,” said Suniel Wadhwa, an independent film distributor, who had released Christopher Nolan’s Inception in the Indian market.