MUMBAI: The Aneez Bazmee-directed comic caper Welcome has grossed more than $4.5 million (Rs 180 million) at the international box-office in just two weeks and is going strong in its third week as well. Welcome was promoted, marketed and distributed overseas by the international arm of Indian Films-Studio 18.

The movie has recorded pathbreaking collections internationally, emerging as the no. 1 film of Christmas 2007. With no comparable tent-pole release in the weeks to come, Welcome is poised to create even bigger milestones in film history.

Of the total international two-week gross, $3.5 million has been mopped up from the three key markets alone - the US, UK/Ireland & the UAE, and the remaining from other European and Asia-Pacific markets.

In the US, Welcome crossed $1 million on 63 prints at the end of its second week, much the same as the Gulf, where collections touched $1 million on 29 prints at the end of the second week and have held strong over the weekdays as well. Welcome is reported to have beaten some of the biggest Hindi blockbusters in the UAE, including Namaste London, Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, making it the highest grossing film ever for Akshay Kumar in this territory.

In the UK/Ireland, Welcome grossed $1.5 million on 51 prints at the end of its second week, making it the highest fortnight gross for an Akshay Kumar title in this market. It was alongisde Hollywood biggies at no. 8 in the coveted "UK Top 10" in its opening weekend and bagged the second highest opening in 2007 after Om Shanti Om. The box-office of Welcome in two weeks in the UK/Ireland has overtaken that of films like Guru, Chak De! India, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa.