As the shimmering festival of Diwali approaches in 2024, the anticipation around Bollywood’s box office releases is soaring. Traditionally, Diwali has served as a pivotal period for the Hindi film industry, marked by blockbuster hits that aim to enthral families gathering for celebrations. This year is no exception, with Rohit Shetty’s “Singham Again” and Anees Bazmee’s “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” poised to light up cinemas across the nation. Both films are part of established franchises and are expected to draw massive crowds. But before delving into the potential clash of these titans, it’s worthwhile to examine the historical performance of Diwali releases over the years and how they have fared in securing box office success.
Commencing this retrospective analysis from 2012, we witness the formidable box office battle between two major releases: Yash Chopra’s last directorial venture “Jab Tak Hai Jaan,” starring the indomitable Shah Rukh Khan alongside Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif, and Ajay Devgn’s “Son Of Sardaar” featuring Sonakshi Sinha. While both films achieved hit status, “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” edged slightly ahead with a collection of Rs. 120.65 crores, compared to the Rs. 105.03 crores garnered by “Son Of Sardaar.” Both releases set a precedent for films leveraging the Diwali festive spirit to draw audiences.
In 2013, another Bollywood sensation, “Krrish 3,” featuring Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra, dominated the festive season with its strong superhero appeal, collecting an impressive Rs. 240 crores. The fervor surrounding superhero franchises was unmistakably on the rise, with fan bases mobilizing to drive box office numbers.
The following year, 2014, saw the release of the much-anticipated “Happy New Year,” a film that rode largely on Shah Rukh Khan’s star power. Helmed by Farah Khan and further bolstered by an ensemble cast including Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan, the movie amassed Rs. 203 crores. Despite a mixed critical reception, it affirmed the trend that star-driven vehicles tend to succeed during this season.
In 2015, Salman Khan reclaimed the Diwali box office with “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo,” directed by Sooraj Barjatya. The reunion of the beloved pair, Salman Khan and Sonam Kapoor, proved to be a compelling draw, leading to earnings of Rs. 207.4 crores, strengthening their record as family entertainers.
Ajay Devgn switched gears for a directorial debut with “Shivaay” in 2016, though it achieved only average box office results with Rs. 100.
.35 crores. In contrast, that year belonged to Karan Johar’s romantic drama “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” which featured Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, collecting Rs. 112.5 crores as it captivated audiences with its emotional depth and star allure.
The Diwali release success continued in 2017 with “Golmaal Again,” another hit under Rohit Shetty’s directorial helm, raking in Rs. 205.72 crores. Featuring a dynamic ensemble cast, the film offered a perfect blend of comedy and adventure. Meanwhile, Zaira Wasim’s narrative-driven “Secret Superstar” carved out a niche audience, generating Rs. 62 crores through critical acclaim and positive reviews despite clashing with “Golmaal Again.”
By 2019, the Diwali release strategy had escalated significantly with “Housefull 4” appearing as the top comedy entertainer of the season, amassing Rs. 206 crores despite formulaic content. This illustrated the potent draw of comedy films during festive periods alongside action-packed ventures.
Two years later, Akshay Kumar’s “Sooryavanshi” marked a significant moment for cinemas emerging from the pandemic. Raking in Rs. 195.04 crores, it demonstrated the collective craving for high-energy cop thrillers. However, 2022 saw a decline in festive box office returns. “Ram Setu” and “Thank God” fell short of expectations, reflecting perhaps a shift in audience tastes or competitive viewing choices.
By 2023, “Tiger 3” offered a substantial initial pull with Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif drawing viewers with their established spy universe. Although the opening was commendable, the film concluded its theatrical run with Rs. 285 crores, reflecting tempered audience engagement levels compared to past Diwali triumphs.
As we approach Diwali 2024, the excitement surrounding “Singham Again” and “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” underlines the enduring impact of Diwali as a catalyst for Bollywood’s box office dynamic. Whether these releases can capture both critical acclaim and robust earnings remains to be seen, but history suggests that the festival undeniably remains a potent calendar slot for cinematic grandiosity and mass audience appeal.
