SA heist movie grossed R320 000 on opening weekend

"It was very satisfying to hit our targets on the opening weekend," commented producer Ross Garland. "We benefited from a concentrated campaign from Nu Metro Films and great social media buzz about the film after the premieres last week. Audiences really got behind us in KZN, which is perhaps not surprising with Durban appearing as a key character in the movie."

Based on 1997 Durban cash heist

31 Million Reasons is loosely based on the 1997 Durban cash heist, which has become part of local lore. R31 million was stolen in the middle of the night from a cash-holding facility in Durban. Fourteen men went to jail, but a few crooked cops from Chatsworth got away with it. Urban legend is that there was far more money at the deposit facility than was ever made public - and most of the cash has never been found.

Local detective Ronnie, who has illusions of being above the criminal class and desperately wants to clean up his act, is given the opportunity to go legit by a security guard, but only by orchestrating the biggest cash heist in South African history.

Isidingo star was real cop

The film stars Isidingo's Jack Devnarain as Ronnie, who was working as a cop in Durban at the time of the actual heist. His experience as a policeman was invaluable, his knowledge of police protocol and behaviour were constantly called upon to give the actors authentic tools to create for the characters.