The three-day box office collections indicate that movie buffs are loving "Ek Villain". The Balaji Motion Pictures' latest offering has set the cash registers ringing ever since it hit the screens June 27.

"Ek Villain" has so far collected Rs. 50.70 crore (Friday Rs. 16.72 crore, Saturday Rs. 16.54 cr., Sunday Rs. 17.44 cr.). Released on 2539 screens nationwide, the romantic thriller has emerged as one of the biggest openers of the year in terms of screen average, said a statement.

Tanuj Garg, CEO Balaji Motion Pictures, said: "Not only is this opening the biggest for the studio, but for the industry too in light of the screen count. We scored big despite no advantage of a bank holiday weekend."

He predicts that with "compelling content, strong word of mouth and exemplary marketing", the Riteish Deshmukh, Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor starrer is poised to "sustain and enjoy a glorious run" at the box office.

Revenues from the overseas markets and non-theatre streams are additional.

Distributor Anil Thadani said: "The film has found universal acceptance. It is one of those rare films that worked as well in a remote single screen as it did in an up-market multiplex.

It is a blockbuster and game-changer in the real sense of the words. Hats off to Balaji and Mohit Suri!"

The film's success means a lot to director Mohit Suri as this is his first film outside his home banner Vishesh Films and he is "delighted" that it has opened to "such a path-breaking response".

"The stupendous figures are testimony to the power of conviction, content and passion," he added.