Proving all the top trade pundits, critics and even the industry wrong Fox Stars Humshakals` in association with Vashu Bhagnani`s Pooja Entertainment and Films` struck gold at the Box office striking a rocking 40.13 crores weekend happily posing for the 4th biggest opening weekend in 2014 after 'Jai Ho' (60.68), 'Gunday' (43.93) and 'Holiday' (41.32).

'Humshakals' was rock steady on Saturday with a 12.59 crore collection almost same as Friday 12.50 crore clearly indicating that the audience has not bothered about the negativity and flocked to the theatres. The negativity had not much effect on its weekend collections and the movie experience a healthy normal` jump of around 25% and registered a good Sunday figure of 15.04 crores.

So Humshakals` has cleared its first big hurdle and registered a 40 crore weekend. As said earlier this 75 crore all inclusive project by Fox Star is eyeing 35 crores from its theatrical having already booked a 45 crores from its music and satellite rights.

With 20 crore already achieved by the weekend the movie needs a recovery of another 15 crores from its theatrical run which now seems to be a possibility thanks to the target audience support.

As said earlier the no-brainer helmed by Sajid Khan starring Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Ram Kapoor, Tamannah, Esha Gupta and Bipasha Basu has to perform maximum by this week considering strong competition from this Friday 'Ek Villian' and Hollywood biggie 'Transformers 4'.

Encouraging reports from the neighborhood Pakistan has boosted the morale of the makers. The movie has taken the second biggest opening of 2014 in Pakistan with a GBO of $81,910. 'Jai Ho' - First day collections were - $99,000. Registering biggest opening day for any Sajid Khan or Saif Ali Khan film and biggest opening for a Fox Star film in Pakistan.

The 40 crore weekend has kept the hopes alive for Humshakals` - now facing the Monday acid test. Monday figures must be not less than 6.5 crores; anything more will be most welcome for the movie's surprise facelift which on its release date, Friday 20th 2014, was labeled as a disaster by many known pundits, experts, analyst and critics of Bollywood.

Certainly till now Sajid Khan and his Humshakals` backed by Fox Star are having their last laugh.

Stay tuned for more on this...