In this monthly column, we take a look at the box office results of films from the last month and compare them to those released in previous years. This information can be used to analyze whether trends are changing or if they are steady. With so much being said lately about how Indian film studios may or may not be recovering after OTT (over-the-top) streaming services became popular, these numbers may provide some insight.
2022 – Rs. 455.83 crores – The Kashmir Files [Rs. 238.28 crores], RRR [Hindi] [Rs. 132.59 crores]
I’m sure you’ll agree that the collections that have come in March of 2022 have been phenomenal- even rivaling those seen during some other months. For example, The Kashmir Files (in Hindi) grossed over $450 million dollars just this month and had an excellent opening weekend at theatres worldwide. With movies like RRR (in Hindi) also beating expectations, we can expect another Rs. 45 crores to be added to its lifetime earnings before April is out!
2021 – Rs. 28.50 crores – Roohi [Rs. 26 crores]
It’s been proven that in 2021 there were barely any new releases given the pandemic. Of all of them, Mumbai Saga attempted a release but didn’t fare well. None of the other films released did very well either – save for Roohi which was one of the earliest risk-takers and so even though people weren’t feeling too happy or healthy, they still managed to get some laughs out of it.
2020 – Rs. 100.03 crores – Baaghi 3 [Rs. 95 crores], Angrezi Medium [Rs. 9.36 crores]
This was the time when moviegoers were no longer very receptive to anything new and original. Hence, this proved to be a difficult time for both Baaghi 3 as well as Angrezi Medium. Initially, both movies opened pretty successfully; only to quickly lose momentum because people weren’t interested anymore in seeing them. As if being forsaken by all those who once loved it, Angrezi Medium was abandoned halfway through its opening week before theaters closed down; while Baaghi 3 decided not postpone its release date despite knowing this wasn’t an opportune time for movies of such genre.
2019 – Rs. 384.70 crores – Kesari [Rs. 154.41], Luka Chuppi [Rs. 95 crores], Badla [Rs. 87.99 crores]
In the year 2019, there was a record-breaking March with over 400 crores in earnings. Three blockbuster films were released this month – an unprecedented event in the past ten years. With Kesari leading from the front, Akshay Kumar also managed to score his first hundred crore film of his career; Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon came very close to reaching that milestone too, both releasing movies this March; Amitabh Bachchan even made his comeback alongside Taapsee Pannu in what became another success for them too!
2018 – Rs. 367.71 crores – Baaghi 2 [Rs. 166 crores], Raid [Rs. 103.07 crores]
Just one movie accounted for over half of the total collections that were made during March, 2018. Baaghi 2 was a success and alongside other films like Raid, helped make sure that Rs 300 crore were earned at the Box Office during this time. It is also worth noting that such an immense profit had never been seen before in April – Rs 350 crore being earned when only Rs 150 crore had been earned last year.
2017 – Rs. 213.66 crores – Badrinath Ki Dulhania [Rs. 116.6 crores]
Five years ago, for the first time ever, a movie managed to cross the 200 crore mark before March – and that movie was Badrinath Ki Dulhania. With Varun Dhawan starring alongside Alia Bhatt in this release of theirs, they experienced phenomenal success at the box office; and their songs can still be heard today even after all these years. This coming-of-age story turned out to be just what people needed during examinations – giving them some much needed relief from stressful times – which only goes to show how timeless classics will always live on forever!
2016 – Rs. 153.80 crores – Kapoor & Sons [Rs. 73.30 crores]
Though it was not a record-breaking year, 2016 still made Rs. 150 crores during its first month of release in March. Out of all the movies that released during this period, Kapoor and Sons stood out for its successful performance. While the film didn’t manage to reach the club of 100 Crore Club members, it did do very well for itself given how low it started off at relative to other movies released during the same time frame – especially considering how new and unproven it was against established franchises such as Dhoom 3 or Piku which had previously existed in similar genres.
2015 – Rs. 54.39 crores – NH10 [Rs. 32.39 crores]
2015 was quite a disappointing time for Bollywood filmmakers this last calendar year-not even Rs. 100 crores (1 USD) came out of the films that were released in April, and only one film boasted over Rs.30 Crores (3USD) so far–NH10 starring successful Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma as well as The Kashmir Files actor Darshan Kumaar. It’s been an unmemorable year, although there are still several months to go before December comes around.
2014 – Rs. 160.01 crores – Queen [Rs. 61 crores]
March 2014 will forever be remembered as the month where Kangana Ranaut had come out with her latest venture ‘Queen’. Receiving a slow start at first, it gained momentum throughout, and ultimately succeeded in becoming one of the highest grossing hits of this year. This lightweight drama helped generate approximately 150 crores during the month which otherwise would not have been possible.
2013 – Rs. 114.40 crores – Jolly LLB [Rs. 32 crores]
Jolly LLB 2 has grossed Rs. 100 Crores, but it was Jolly LLB (2013) which started off this success story! It earned a respectable amount of Rs. 30 crores in its run and gave birth to the idea for this sequel. Saheb Biwi aur Gangster Returns fared just as well with an approximate gross of Rs. 22 crore while Himmatwala became one of Ajay Devgn’s highest earners despite earning only Rp. 41 crore during its release week; collecting approximately Rp. 48 crore overall in the span of 7 days.
