MUMBAI: The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn has become the highest opening animated film in India, according to Sony Pictures India.

The film garnered approximately Rs 73.5 million at the three-day box office with a 90 to 100 per cent occupancy in most centres. The film released with over 350 prints, a record-breaking number for an animated film in both English and Hindi in 3D, 2D and IMAX 3D formats.

Said Sony Pictures India Managing Director Kercy Daruwala, "Not only is the animated genre gaining ground amongst all age groups in India, but Tintin is unique in the sense that the franchise is enjoyed and appreciated by a very wide audience right from kids to adults who grew up on Tintin.

There is an amazing passion for both the franchise and the film in India with even celebrities like Aamir Khan giving the film an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Naturally, this is reflected in the wide release the film is getting in the country. The film’s collections have increased day upon day and we expect to see the film sustain strongly based on excellent word of mouth.”

The film also garnered 3.5 to 4 ratings amongst all major reviewers.

The film is also the first animated film to have made new inroads into smaller centres, having opened simultaneously across India in smaller cities such as Alwar, Gwalior, Akola, Amravati, Madurai, Salem and Trichur.

The Adventures of Tintin has already garnered over $159m at the box office in Europe alone and has broken several records in countries like France and Belgium.