In another milestone for Bollywood ‘Happy New Year’ became the first Indian film to get a release in China within months of its South Asia release.

Happy New Year will release on 12 February, and has been given the prestigious Pre-Spring Festival release date which is reserved only for Chinese Movies.

It will be released in 5000 screens across China over the Chinese New Year weekend making it the first Indian film to get this release window and the biggest opening for any Indian film.

The film will be released as a dubbed version to reach the widest possible audiences with an International Directors cut.

Madam Xiao Ping, President China Film Group (Import Export Division) said, “This is the first Indian movie to come to China this year and in our meeting with Mr. Shah Rukh Khan and Yash Raj Films Chairman Mr. Aditya Chopra we discussed about many more collaborations in future hope this is just the start of a long journey.”

Liang Longfei, Chairman of 1905 Pictures said, “Under the instruction of President Xi Jinping, to reinforce China-India cultural communication, we are greatly honored to have this opportunity to import outstanding Indian films and let China audience understand and appreciate Indian films and culture. Hope 1905 Pictures will have more diversified and wider collaboration and exchange with Indian films.”

Avtar Panesar, Vice President Intl. Operations YRF said, “We at YRF pride ourselves on taking the best of Indian cinema to new shores. China is a natural partner for us and we are very excited to be working with CCTV and CFG to now introduce Indian cinema to the Chinese market at this scale – the two nations have much in common and films are a great way to connect.”

Happy New Year, an action-packed musical heist, is directed by Farah Khan and stars Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan.