Bollywood’s Highest Grosser of the Year: 1989 – 2015

2015 is coming to an end and it’s Salman Khan yet again who has topped the Highest Grosser of the Year for a record 9th time (10 if Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, where he had a supporting role, is included in the list).

Nearly 300 Hindi films release every year and only one film tops them all. In today’s times, it takes a combination of good content, a major superstar and a genre with universal appeal for a film to generate more than Rs 250 / 300 crore at the box office.

Salman SRK Aamir Hrithik Sunny

The biggest grosser of the year is also the film that has widely been accepted and brings the maximum number of people to theatres. In this day and age, with prices of movie tickets soaring, piracy increasing and various options for entertainment (like television and video-sharing websites), it’s tough to bring audiences to theatres.

Hence, topping the ‘biggest grosser list’ is nothing short of a major achievement. Below we have compiled a list of the highest grossing films from 1989 to 2015.

SalmanAamirSRKHrithikSunny
Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989)Dil (1990)DDLJ (1995)Kaho Na Pyaar Hai (2000)Border (1997)
Saajan (1991)Raja Hindustani (1996)Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)Koi Mil Gaya (2003)Gadar (2001)
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994)Ghajini (2008)Devdas (2002)Dhoom 2 (2006)
Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999)3 Idiots (2009)Veer Zaara (2004)
No Entry (2005)Dhoom 3 (2013)Om Shanti Om (2007)
Dabangg (2010)PK (2014)
Bodyguard (2011)
Ek Tha Tiger (2012)
Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)
  • Salman Khan has delivered the highest number of ‘highest grossers of the year’ 9 times since 1989, which also happens to be the year he made his debut. His best years are between 2010 – 2012, when he managed to beat his contemporaries for three continuous years. In 2015, he topped the list once again after making way for Aamir Khan in 2013 and 2014.
  • But there is one special record that not many others can boast of. Salman is the ONLY superstar who has two ‘biggest grossers of the decade’. Maine Pyaar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hai Kaun were the biggest grossers of the 80s and 90s respectively. The 2000s belonged to Aamir, as 3 Idiots was the highest grosser of the previous decade.
  • Apart from the 5 biggest hits of the year to his credit, Shah Rukh Khan has given the 2nd biggest hits of the year for a record 8 times – Deewana (1991), Karan Arjun (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001), Kal Ho Na Ho (2003), Main Hoon Na (2004) and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008). He has also consistently made it to the Top 5 since his debut in 1992.
  • Salman has delivered Top 2 biggest grossers of the year four times. Hum Saath Saath Hain and Biwi No. 1 in 1999, Bodyguard and Ready in 2011, Ek Tha Tiger and Dabangg 2 in 2012, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo in 2015.
  • 2006 belonged to Hrithik Roshan as Dhoom 2 and Krrish were the 1st and 2nd biggest hits of the year respectively. Hrithik has also ruled the box office in 2000 (Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai) and 2003 (Koi Mil Gaya).
  • Ajay Devgn has three 2nd biggest grosser of the year to his credit. Phool Aur Kaante in 1991, Pyaar to Hona Hi Tha in 1998 and Golmaal 3 in 2010.
  • Akshay Kumar has never delivered the highest grosser of the year so far in his career, but came close as many as 4 times. Mohra in 1994, Welcome in 2007 were the 2nd biggest hits while Singh is King and Rowdy Rathore came 3rd in 2008 and 2012 respectively. He would have probably topped the list in 2007, if Taare Zameen Par did not release on the same day.
  • Hrithik and Salman are the only big stars to deliver the biggest grosser of the year with their debut films.
  • Among the top stars, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar and Ranbir Kapoor are yet to deliver the year’s biggest grosser, something that Sunny Deol managed twice with Border (1997) and Gadar (2001).
  • In terms of footfalls, Salman topped the 1980s (Maine Pyaar Kiya) and 1990s (Hum Aapke Hain Kaun). Gadar was the most watched movie of 2000’s, a film that sold many more tickets than 3 Idiots.
  • In the current century, when Aamir Khan made it to the top of the list, he not only delivered the highest grosser of the year, but also the highest grosser of all time. Ghajini, 3 Idiots, Dhoom 3 and PK were the highest grossers of the year, highest grossers of all time and All Time Blockbusters.
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203 Comments

  • @Arjun Chameleon Buddha :: Lol..Welcome was a blockbuster on Xmas even with clash with classic TZP and could have easily went on to be the HGOTY as well as the Highest grosser of all time had TZP not clashed.
    You know how a clash effects two films right and even when the other one is critically acclaimed like Bajirao or TZP,Still Welcome held its ground and did so well.

  • • HGOTY of all Khans In INDIA, Worldwide & Overseas * till 2014 & main lead roles only *.

    1st ) Aamir Khan : 6 . 2nd ) Shah Rukh Khan : 5 in India . 2nd ) Salman Khan : 5 in India .
    1st ) Shah Rukh Khan : 10 Worldwide . 2nd ) Aamir Khan : 6 WW . 2nd) Salman Khan : 6 WW .
    1st ) Shah Rukh Khan : 15 in OS . 2nd ) Aamir khan : 3 in OS . 3rd ) Salman Khan : 1 in OS .

    SRK : 30.. aamir : 15. Salman 12.. SRK’s 30 >> Aamir/Salman’s 27 . only SRK rules!!

  • Next year may be the toughest fight of all. 2016 will be with all big stars and big films with big budgets.
    Hrithik and Aamir are returning after giving 2015 a miss. And assuming Mohenjo-Daro and Dangal get solo release one expects either of 2 to be highest grosser of 2016.

  • @babaji stop this nonsense… Sultan is releasing on eid and it will destroy raees Mark my words… Megastar salman will rocks on eid 2016 and it will be tight slap to u to see srk losing in front of salman

  • Raees with good content and solo release can touch 300+ mark…bcz that genre has universal appeal equally in masses and classes..

  • @indicine.. That’s why he does not trust these filmfare… You and I know that he came out with the impression he was doing a guest.
    @indicine pls let me know….will u call Hritik Roshan Role in Luck by Chance.. supporting or guest /special?

  • • All time highest Grossers of all Khans in INDIA , Worldwide & Overseas .

    1st ) Shah Rukh Khan : 3 . 1st ) Aamir Khan : 4 . 3nd ) Salman Khan : 1 . (INDIA)
    1st ) Shah Rukh Khan : 4 . 1st ) Aamir khan : 4 . 3rd ) Salman Khan : 1 . (Worldwide)
    1st ) Shah Rukh Khan : 6 . 2nd ) Aamir Khan : 3 . 3rd ) Salman Khan : 1 . (Overseas)

    Shah Rukh Khan : 13.. Salman Khan 3 (ROFL) , & Aamir Khan 11..

  • When it comes to consitency Srk is way ahead of his contempories. Srk has the most number of hits. Consitency is the biggest measure of stardom. I m proud to be srk fan. Love u srk.

  • It’s d mistake that salman is a bigger star. He always rls in festival. Never dare to release in non-festive with clash.

  • HGOTY…. SALMAN FANS MOST FAV TERM….WE LOVE IT.
    SRK FANS HATE IT.
    LAST TIME SRK HGOTY WAS OSO 2007.
    LOOKING AT TRENDS IT WAS LAST TIME IN HIS CARRIER NO.FURTHER CHANCES.

  • It’s great 2 c an actor like ajay devgan have 3 2nd biggest grosser of D year . Only nana patekar nd ajay devgan r 2 actors who hve made an impact in bollywood without any looks . RESPECT 4 Both .

  • Ajay devgan’s movies doesn’t open big at boxoffice due to his less stardom but his acting ,supporting cast nd contribution from his directors have made him A recognisable face in bollywood …..! RESPECT. Though he nvr came in top 5 from a long long time but still he is holding his position in bollywood . HATS OFF . INDICINE DO u c a chance of ajay coming in top 3 or top 5 stars of bollywood in future ???? Serious question .

  • When we closely analyze the total number of movies each of these actors have made, it’s very clear that an Aamir starrer is more likely of becoming a highest grosser of the year than any one else.

  • On what basis u guys are saying 3 khans have dominated past 2 decades..there is only one who ruled last 2 decades and he is King Khan SHAH RUKH KHAN…don’t ever try to compare other khans with SRK..SRK has given us cult classic films which ur bhojpuri star can only dream of…kuch 4 saalon me BB,ATBB dene se koi bada aur respected star nahi ban jaata..u have to have films like Swades,CDI,Darr,Bazigar,KHKN,KHNH,DDLJ,MNIK,Dil Se,KKHH,Devdas these are the films that makes u Superstar…so do judge them on their films and audience love for these films..no one remembers films like bodyguard,dabbang 2,ready,Kick,wanted which were BB…aamir,Salman started their career in 2010 with south remakes usse pehle Disaster,Flop hi de rahe the dono both both quality wise and collection ..

  • One word for haters. Celebrate if dilwale is a terrible film which it is not. It is plot less but still paid vasool. And dose making fun of protests and vandalidation of theatres remember aasman pe thukne wale thuk unhi par aake giregi.

  • @ace khan

    Longest Time Without Blockbuster

    Aamir 1996 Nov-2008 Dec
    :Total 12 Years

    Salman 1999 Oct to 2010 Sep
    : total 11 Years

    King Khan 2008 Dec to 2013 Aug
    : Total 4.5 years

  • Salman salman salman……he may not be the great actor….but he is the best among all….u know why…. ;) ;)…..salman haters jalte raho….. :D

  • Red Chillies Manipulated at the time Of OSO back in 2007 to become Highest Grosser. Red Chillies Manipulated at the Time of CE with some lakhs to surpass the record of Highest opening day of ETT and then manipulated at the time of HNY again to break the record of Dhoom 3 and finally now manipulating to hide his defeat. Shameless Actor.

  • @Arjun Youngistaan
    Akshay lost to Ishant for Tzp in 2007.
    By filmfare jury logic if Salman played supporting in kuch kuch hota hai then Aamir played supporting too this time WILLINGLY…!!!

  • The success of salman is far more commendable & incredible than aamir & the teesra khan because of his personal & professional controversies , bad boy image portrayed by the media , his not-so-good script sense and many other factors and not to forget he being a lesser actor than aamir or ajay d (for me srk will always remain the quintessential over-actor, hrithik the 3rd best actor after aamir & ajay among the top 6 superstars ), just imagine had salman been as prudent as aamir in choosing the scripts or as shrewd as teesra khan in marketing his films & working with top directors & top production houses then the legend of the salman would have been much much bigger than what it is already now, that’s why i say salman is arguably the biggest superstar bollywood ever had along with big b (not necessarily the greatest actor but yeah definitely the biggest superstar).

  • Remember Hrithik Roshan is almost 10Years younger than Khans. Still giving a neck to neck competion to them.
    Be it in BO or FootFalls.
    And when it comes to ~
    Acting, Looks,physique, Dance Hrithik is ahead of Khans.

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