Honoree Jackie Chan accepts his award during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 8th annual Governors Awards at The Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center on November 12, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Frederick M. Brown)
It was not even a contest. The multi-lingual film "Kung Fu Yoga" has minted big numbers at the global box office despite being written off by movie critics.
"Kung Fu Yoga" has dominated the foreign box office, racking up a hefty $51.4 million, Variety reported. The Jackie Chan -starrer is part of the three-film agreement signed between China and India, resounding audiences from both countries with a grossed sales of $177.9 million globally.
Two other Chinese films, "Journey to the West: Demons Strike Back" and "Duckweed," took second and third place on the charts, earning $35. 5 million and $29.5 million, respectively. Rounding out the top five are Lionsgate's "La La Land" and Sony's "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" picking up 20.1 million and $16.5 million, respectively.
"Kung Fu Yoga" may be kicking up some serious box-office numbers in China, but in India, the film has been getting lukewarm reviews from critics for the abundant use of stereotypes. Some also described the film as a "big yawn" with a lot of tainted Kung Fu moves, while the practice of yoga was barely even mentioned.
The story of "Kung Fu Yoga" revolves around Jack (Chan), an archaeologist who teams up with an Indian professor Ashmita (Disha Patani) and her assistant Kyra (Amyra Dastur) to locate India's lost treasure. Spreading over regions in China, India, Dubai and Tibet, the action comedy film features Bollywood actor Sonu Sood as the villain.
Speaking to The Indian Express, the Bollywood actor expressed his sentiments on working with the legendary actor for the first time. For him, the latter is one of the most humble actors in the industry.
"Everyday was a learning experience with him, the way he used to treat us, the way he used to feed us," Sood said. "I think that made us feel very special. There are very special memories attached to him."
Check out Chan and Sood in the official "Kung Fu Yoga" trailer below:
