Salman’s ‘Bajrangi Bhiajaan’ opens to packed houses

New Delhi, July 17: Salman Khan’s Eid release “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” opened to packed houses today, getting rave reviews from fans and mixed response from critics.

The cross-border drama, which is about a Bajrangbali (Hanuman) bhakt named Pawan Kumar Chaturvedi’s (played by Salman) journey from India to escort a six-year-old mute Pakistani girl back to her village, has got unanimous praise from Salman’s Bollywood colleagues.

The film also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and child actress Harshaali Malhotra.

Officials at Eros International Media Ltd, which is distributing the movie, said the film bagged a “mind-blowing” response all over the country.

Multiplexes in the capital have reported housefull, claiming that tickets for the first three days have been sold out.

“We are running 35 shows daily. Since morning, we have been running shows every 20 minutes and all the shows have been housefull. It will pick up from tomorrow of course but I think it is already a super hit,” Rakesh Warikoo, General Manager, Mall & Multiplex at Spice World, told PTI.

Yogesh Raizada, General Manager at Wave Cinemas, said after the good response today the film will pick up from tomorrow after the Eid namaaz at 1 pm.

With no other film being released today, most of the halls in multiplexes screened the Salman-starrer movie.

Salman’s co-stars praised the actor’s sensitive portrayal in the film and called it his “best performance” till date.

Anil Kapoor wrote, “Only @BeingSalmanKhan can tug at your heartstrings, yet leave you feeling hopeful & joyous!…