Amritraj’s racism comedy ‘brings down’ box office

Bringing Down The House, produced by Ashok Amritraj and starring Oscar nominee Queen Latifah and Steve Martin, has topped the North American...

Bringing Down The House, produced by Ashok Amritraj and starring Oscar nominee Queen Latifah and Steve Martin, has topped the North American box office in its debut weekend.

The film, Walt Disney Co.’s lively comedy lampooning racism, grossed $31.7 million in Friday-through-Sunday ticket sales, reported Variety magazine. It was way ahead of rival Tears Of The Sun, an action war film starring Bruce Willis which came in at No. 2 .

Bringing Down The House seemed to benefit from all the Oscar buzz for best supporting actress nominee Queen Latifah in Chicago.

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At the time of casting, Latifah ‘‘was not as hot as she is today,’’ Amritraj told India West paper earlier. ‘‘She has suddenly become sizzling hot between her nomination for Chicago, and being a presenter at the Grammys. The fact she has peaked at such a crucial time is, to us, wonderful for the movie.’’

In the film Latifah, the hip-hopsinger-turned-actress, plays a wrongly imprisoned woman who, while in jail, strikes up an online relationship with a divorced tax attorney played by Martin. When she is released she looks him up to help her appeal her conviction. When he balks, she invades his house, life and family business with the intention of embarrassing him into submission. Her plan eventually works and Martin’s character grows in the process. (PTI)