As Diwali 2024 approaches, the anticipation in Bollywood is palpable with the forthcoming clash of two major film releases, Rohit Shetty’s “Singham Again” and Anees Bazmee’s “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.” Both films, being key installments of successful franchises, promise to light up the festive season, drawing massive crowds to cinemas. These releases continue a long-standing cinematic tradition in India, where the Diwali period is strategically chosen by filmmakers to release compelling films aimed at family audiences. This year is no different, and expectations are high for another record-breaking Diwali box office.
Reflecting on the history of Diwali releases, Bollywood’s tryst with this festive period goes way back. Diwali, known as the festival of lights, has always been a blockbuster time for Indian cinema. Producers and directors often choose this period to release films with mass appeal, banking on families coming together to celebrate with an evening at the movies. The tradition persists with memories of past successes and the formulation of predictions for the box office battles.
Consider the notable Diwali releases from years past. In 2012, “Jab Tak Hai Jaan,” starring Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, and Katrina Kaif, marked the last directorial adventure of the late legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra. It opened to glowing reviews and amassed around Rs. 120.65 crores, becoming a superhit despite competition from Ajay Devgn’s “Son Of Sardaar,” which also performed well by raking in Rs. 105.03 crores.
Fast-forward to 2013, and the superhero flick “Krrish 3” soared to prominence. With Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra leading, it captivated audiences and earned an astonishing Rs. 240 crores. The following year saw Shah Rukh Khan return in “Happy New Year,” which garnered mixed reviews but achieved a substantial Rs. 203 crores, thanks to its pre-release buzz and an ensemble cast including Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan.
The trend of Diwali successes continued with 2015’s “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo,” starring Salman Khan and Sonam Kapoor. This film provided quintessential family entertainment, a hallmark of director Sooraj Barjatya, and collected Rs.
. 207.4 crores.
Rohit Shetty’s “Golmaal Again” in 2017 witnessed Ajay Devgn and an impressive cast deliver a crowd-pleasing horror-comedy that earned Rs. 205.72 crores, demonstrating that the holiday spirit remains powerful for such releases. Even when faced with competition from “Secret Superstar,” starring Zaira Wasim, the film stayed strong at the box office with positive reviews and an impressive Rs. 62 crores.
In recent years, 2019’s “Housefull 4” took the spotlight during Diwali, crossing the Rs. 206 crores mark. Akshay Kumar led another ensemble cast in delivering the festival’s comedic charm, while 2021’s “Sooryavanshi” marked a significant moment for cinemas as the industry recovered from the pandemic, collecting Rs. 195.04 crores despite ongoing challenges.
Meanwhile, not every film capitalized fully on Diwali’s potential. In 2022, “Ram Setu” struggled to capture the family audiences’ attention, grossing only Rs. 90 crores worldwide, while “Thank God” fared slightly better at approximately Rs. 98 crores, signifying a modest performance for a Diwali release.
Last year’s Diwali featured “Tiger 3,” which saw Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif reprising their roles in the spy thriller infused with action-packed sequences and a cameo by Shah Rukh Khan. Although it generated considerable buzz and managed to amass a lifetime collection of Rs. 285 crores, it didn’t quite match up to the soaring expectations set by its predecessors.
As we approach Diwali 2024 with “Singham Again” and “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3,” the big question remains: will these highly anticipated films succeed in joining the ranks of Diwali blockbusters from past years? With both Rohit Shetty and Anees Bazmee known for their unique cinematic styles and assured entertainment value, the competition is set to ignite the box office. Who will emerge victorious in this friendly yet fierce festival clash? Only time and ticket sales will tell. As audiences eagerly await, the excitement is just beginning to build for another spectacular Diwali at the movies.
