‘2012’ directed by Roland Emmerich of ‘Independence Day’ and ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ fame is out with another chartbuster. This special effects-filled actioner was produced with a whooping budget of $200 million. But with a $225 million worldwide pull from simultaneous openings in 105 foreign territories the flick made a thunder $160 million on the international circuit.

This disaster movie is almost ruling the screens of Tamil Nadu. The Hollywood movie, which is also dubbed in Tamil, grossed Rs 4.2 crores in its opening week and is expected to rake in around Rs 70 crore in all. Interestingly the sky high record of Rs 10 lakh collection in the first week by ‘Titanic’ is smashed. In Chennai, the Mayajaal multiplex had to send for another print since its 14 screens could not keep up with the demand.

“As the sci-fi adventure unfolds and a crack in the Sistine Chapel occurs, a howl goes up among the crowd, and when California splits from Los Angeles and caves into the sea, shrill whistles reverberate in the halls. When the film, directed by Roland Emmerich, released in the state 10 days ago, even the north-east monsoon could not keep the audiences away,” say the sources who saw the crowd enjoying the movie.