The movie released at a time when Amitabh Bachchan was hospitalised.

Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, who made Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost, Ek Ajnabee was inspired by the Hollywood film Man On Fire, starring Denzel Washington.

Big B was riding high on success this year with hits like Black, Bunty Aur Babli, Waqt: Race Against Time and Sarkar. Besides, the sympathy wave was expected to sweep the box office.

But Ek Ajnabee was no Coolie, and the audiences gave it the thumbs down.