Top Bollywood Actors Overseas: August 2015

Top Bollywood Actors in the Overseas Markets: As of August 2015.

• The list below would be based on the gross box office collections of an actor’s last five movies. To keep the comparison fair, all figures are in US dollars.
• Only lead roles would be considered. Cameos, special appearances and guest appearances won’t be taken under consideration. Non-commercial and art films like ‘Dhobi Ghat’ have also not been considered.
• Dated movies that released before 2007 have not been considered.
• We have only included 8 actors in the list because the rest are not bankable stars overseas. The likes of Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra, with a couple of solid overseas performers behind them, are emerging as stars to watch out for. Currently, it’s unfair to include them in the list.

Rank 1 Aamir Khan: Aamir Khan has finally ended Shahrukh Khan’s 2-decade long overseas dominance. PK is the highest grosser of all time and it has achieved several other overseas records. It’s the only Indian film to collect more than Rs 200 crore and Rs 300 crore from the overseas markets alone. It’s also the only film to collect more than Rs 100 crore in a single country outside India. The China business of PK crossed the 100 crore mark. Aamir’s Dhoom 3 is the only film to cross the $30 million and $40 million mark. Aamir now has a loyal overseas fan-following which extends to countries like Japan and China.

• PK – $47.2 million
• Dhoom 3 – $31.1 million
• Talaash – $9.1 million
• 3 Idiots – $25.4 million
• Ghajini – $7.8 million
• Total – $120.6 million (average $24.12 million per film)

Rank 2 Shahrukh Khan: An actor who has dominated the overseas markets like no other star in the history of Indian Cinema, Shahrukh Khan remains the biggest crowd puller outside India in markets like North America, UK, Australia, Gulf and several other countries. His lowest grossers are far higher than the highest grossers of most other actors. His consistency too remains unmatched, as some of his not-so-acclaimed films that are not released during favourable periods, are record-breaking. He is also the only actor whose last 5 films have all crossed the $10 million mark overseas. The key for Shahrukh to extend regain his overseas dominance is to have films that will perform well in markets like China and Japan.

• Happy New Year – $17.1 million
• Chennai Express – $19.5 million
• Jab Tak Hai Jaan – $13.1 million
• Don 2 – $11.4 million
• Ra. One – $10.3 million
• Total – $71.4 million (average $14.28 million per film)

Rank 3 Salman Khan: In the last 5 years, Salman has consistently dominated the domestic box office, but none of his films could go on to match Aamir and SRK’s biggest grossers. His latest release Bajrangi Bhaijaan has been a game-changer for the superstar. Not only has the Kabir Khan directed film doubled his previous highest grosser, but Bajrangi Bhaijaan is now the 3rd highest overseas grosser of all time. If the film does well in other markets in phase 2 of its overseas release, then Bajrangi Bhaijaan could go on to be the 2nd highest grosser of all time. If Prem Ratan Dhan Payo collects $18 million or more, then Salman will overtake Shahrukh, something that was unthinkable not too long ago.

• Bajrangi Bhaijaan – $27.2 million
• Kick – $11.6 million
• Jai Ho – $6.1 million
• Dabangg 2 – $8.5 million
• Ek Tha Tiger – $10.1 million
• Total – $63.5 million (average $12.7 million per film)

Rank 4 Hrithik Roshan: The success of Bajrangi Bhaijaan has widened the gap between Hrithik and Salman. There wasn’t much to choose between the two before the latest Salman Khan blockbuster. Hrithik’s next release is Mohenjo Daro.

• Bang Bang – $12.8 million
• Krrish 3 – $8.8 million
• Agneepath – $6.1 million
• Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobara – $7.21 million
• Guzaarish – $3.22 million
• Total – $38.13 million (average $7.63 million per film)

Rank 5 Ranbir Kapoor: Bombay Velvet and Besharam were huge disasters, but Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani was a massive success at the box office. Barfi and Rockstar too did well. He could challenge Salman and Hrithik in the next couple of years. His film with Karan Johar titled ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ could widen his overseas following.

• Bombay Velvet – $2.0 million
• Besharam – $2.9 million
• Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani – $10.4 million
• Barfi! – $5.9 million
• Rockstar – $3.4 million
• Total – $24.6 million (average $4.92 million per film)

Rank 6 Saif Ali Khan: Saif’s latest release Happy Ending has fared poorly in the overseas markets. The film has collected $1 million in its opening weekend, but the success of Race 2 and Cocktail ensures that Saif continues to hold on to the 6th spot. Happy Ending should collect around $1.5 – 1.75 million by the end of its run as it has dropped all over on Monday.

• Happy Ending – $1.7 million
• Humshakals - $2.7 million
• Bullet Raja- $1.5 million
• Race 2 - $6.4 million
• Cocktail - $4.4 million
• Total – $16.7 million (average $3.34 million per film)

Rank 7 Akshay Kumar: There was a time when Akshay films would do very well overseas – Singh Is Kinng (7.1 million), Housefull 2 ($6 million), Heyy Baby ($4.4 million) and several others were hugely successful films. Back in 2007 – 2008, Akshay movies used to fare better than Aamir, Salman and Hrithik’s. But his last few films have under-performed big time. His biggest hit in the last 2 years is Holiday: A Solider Is Never Off Duty. Unfortunately, an acclaimed film like Baby has failed to excite the overseas audience. With $2.3 million overseas, Baby collected less than Akshay’s last film with Neeraj Pandey – Special 26 collected $2.75 million.

• Brothers – $3.75 million (expected)
• Gabbar Is Back – $2.9 million
• Baby – $2.5 million
• Entertainment – $2.6 million
• Holiday: A Solider Is Never Off Duty – $4.2 million
• Total – $15.95 million (average $3.19 million per film)

Rank 8 Ajay Devgn: Like India, Action Jackson failed in the overseas markets too. Singham Returns did fairly well. Son of Sardaar was a decent hit.

• Drishyam – $2 million (expected)
• Action Jackson – $1.7 million
• Singham Returns – $4.2 million
• Satyagraha – $2.6 million
• Himmatwala – $1.4 million
• Total – $11.9 million (average $2.38 million per film)

Top 10 Overseas Grossers

• 1. PK – $47.2 million
• 2. Dhoom 3 – $ 31.1 million
• 3. Bajrangi Bhaijaan – $ 27.2 million
• 4. 3 Idiots – $ 25.4 million
• 5. My Name Is Khan – $23.7 million
• 6. Chennai Express - $ 19.5 million
• 7. Happy New Year – $ 17.1 million
• 8. Bang Bang - $12.8 million
• 9. Jab Tak Hai Jaan - $13.1 million
• 10. Kick - $11.6 million