It’s amazing. But Total Dhamaal, the Ajay Devgn-led comedy-drama that was purported to be a no-brainer, fast-paced family entertainer, has incredibly done better business than the actor’s supernatural comedy Golmaal Again of Diwali 2017 that was one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.

Bollywood trade pundits, tracking the Indra Kumar-directed film’s rollicking journey at the box office since its release on February 22, say that beyond the domestic market Total Dhamaal has had a glorious run internationally as well. “This is Ajay Devgn’s wildest release overseas. Total Dhamaal opened in 64 countries and in 14 days – it collected $5.8 million.”

What is heartening to note is that Golmaal Again, which came at Diwali and was also released in Pakistan, made around $7 million and will now be equalled or surpassed by Total Dhamaal that was a non-festive release and did not show in Pakistan. Ajay himself must have been surprised to note that at the US box office, the comedy beat the combined lifetime total business of his Rohit Shetty-made action films Singham (2011) and Singham Returns (2014).

[caption id="attachment_215660" align="aligncenter" width="856"] The team of Total Dhamaal[/caption]

Trade sources say that audiences are still queuing outside theatres to see Total Dhamaal and the film is looking at a lifetime business of Rs. 145-150 crore. Which will be almost five times the lifetime business of the first Dhamaal (2007) of the comedy franchise and more than thrice the lifetime business of Double Dhamaal that hit the screens in 2011.
Ajay, who came on board as co-producer in Total Dhamaal and is now laughing all the way to the bank, said he knew they had a winner on hands the day he heard the script of the film. Talking to PeepingMoon.com, the action star who outdid himself in this comedy role said, “Indu ji gave me a two-hour narration, I literally laughed non-stop. I told him I would do the film if he made it as it is. And when I saw the film, I laughed again – for two hours!”