Two Indian films flexed at the domestic box office — and when they hit they really do hit, buoying exhibitors through good times and bad — with Kinds Of Kindness hitting no. 10 in a major expansion and Thelma not far behind.

Kalki 2898 Ad, a Telugu sci-fi epic from Prathyangira Cinemas, is looking at an estimated $5.4 million on 1,049 screens for the three-day weekend, at no. 5. It’s also approaching a cume of $11 million including Wednesday previews and Thursday opening day, one of the best ever openings of an Indian film in North America.

Written and directed by Nag Ashwin, Kalki is toplined by superstars Prabhas with Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan. As Deadline has reported, this is India’s most expensive film ever.

Jatt & Juliet 3, the latest instalment of the Punjabi romantic comedy franchise, from White Hill Studios, is at no. 9 with $1.8 million for the weekend at just 143 locations, and a $1.9 million cume,...