It’s the biggest weekend of the year and we have two films lined up for release in 2015. Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani will be battling it out for box office supremacy. But the reason both makers want this weekend is because Christmas has been the most lucrative weekend for film business – better than the other two festivals, Eid and Diwali.
Back in 2008 when Aamir Khan released Ghajini, the period was considered to be dull for film business. It gets freezing cold in major cities like New Delhi and surrounding cities of the National Capital Region and the other centres in the North are also affected by the cold wave. But Aamir Khan came, he saw and he conquered the weekend.
A combination of his stardom and quality films resulted in him delivering the highest grosser of all time – every single time he released a film during Christmas, the film went on to be a All Time Blockbuster.
Check out the list of Christmas releases since 2008.
- 2008: Ghajini 116 crore – All Time Blockbuster
- 2009: 3 Idiots 202 crore – All Time Blockbuster (74% growth over previous year)
- 2010: Tees Maar Khan 61 crore – Semi Hit (70% year-on-year drop)
- 2011: Don 2 112 crore – Hit (83% drop from 2010, 44% drop from 2009)
- 2012: Dabangg 2 155 crore – Blockbuster (38% growth from 2011, 23% drop from 2009)
- 2013: Dhoom 3 285 crore – All Time Blockbuster (85% growth)
- 2014: PK 341 crore – All Time Blockbuster (18% growth)
Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar released their films during the same weekend, but both weren’t very successful. Salman Khan did better, but Dabangg 2 wasn’t as big a success as the first film and Salman couldn’t quite match upto to the success of Aamir films.
Aamir and Yash Raj Films started a new trend in 2013, when they released Dhoom 3 a week before Christmas, giving their film 3 open weeks at the box office. The result was even better, as Dhoom 3 went on to amass Rs 288 crore net in India and was a 600 crore plus grosser worldwide. A year later, with a similar release date, the 3 Idiots duo of Aamir and Rajkumar Hirani returned and struck box office gold yet again. The numbers were simply mind-boggling.
This year, with two movies releasing in the same weekend and 3 open weeks at the box office, the stakes are very high (combined cost is nearly Rs 250 crore) and the expectations even higher. Can Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani combined, generate business in excess of Rs 400 crore in India? How will the two films perform overseas? Will there be year-on-year growth – if not, the trade will be disappointed if the two films combined can’t collect as much as PK did last year.
Dilwale- 220-240 Cr
Bajirao- 70-80 Cr (ShayaD Zyada hogaya)
@Indicine : Acc. to which sources D3 did 288cr in India n 600cr+ worldwide collection is it still running in India n overseas… don’t be biased towards anybody specially with Aamir khan bcoz he himself not manipulate figures then why u r making people’s fool !!!
Dabang 2 and TMK were the worst film release on Christmas.
dilwale first day 22cr-25cr/ first weekend 70cr-75cr
bajirao mastani first day 10cr-15cr / first weekend 40cr-45cr
Dabagg 2 worst film ever watched. it damaged the christmas date. now BM will repeat the same.
Since a while, we’ve been getting regular hate messages for certain pubilc figures. And these messages are being sent by some of the ‘greatest patriots’ our Nation has ever witnessed. They ask us to boycott the films of some Khan because he ‘said’ that India is intolerent. And so, we should go ahead and boycott their films, and show them their right place !
But wait…Are these actions justified ?
Are we becoming the victims of chain messages ?
Or are we unknowingly sending out a message – ‘India is so intolerent that we won’t watch XYZ’s movie !’ ?
No ! We certainly aren’t intolerent. Infact, India is one of the best countries of the world to live in, irrespective of religion or race. And the super-stardom of the Khans is the biggest example.
Now the question is, “What should we do now ?”
1) We can go ahead and boycott the film, and prove him right.
2) We can remain silent, watch his film, which is a tight slap on his face.
Now, as a tolerent Indian, I really find the 2nd option far better and more ‘purpose fulfilling’.
But…What if the Khan didn’t say such a thing ?
What if he’s the same patriot as us ?
Wouldn’t that be injustice to a true Indian, especially for the son of a freedom fighter ?
Yes, SHAH RUKH KHAN is the SON of India’s youngest FREEDOM FIGHTER, Late Mr. TAJ MD. KHAN ! Did the chain message specify that too ? No.
I’m not a fan of SRK But what I enjoy the most is those 2-3 hours of fun I have with my family in the theatre.
I also feel proud of SRK for he is one of the most charitable persons in India. His charities for Maharastra drought-hit farmers and the recent Chennai flood relief funds are a few of many instances. He even donated a large sum of money to the Uttarakhand flood victims.
I am a citizen of Independent India, with National leaders like NARENDRA MODI and National idols like MAHATMA GANDHI, and I would support such a person by watching his films.
So, DILWALE this Friday, the 18th !
Note : I haven’t watched the interview of any other celebrity. So, I refrain to comment on any of them.
So excited for Dilwale and to see SRK and kajol on screen together again ? one day to go!
the combined business of 2 films will be 380 cr+.even 400 cr is possible.dilwale is getting good to excellent review from critics.audience review in UAE is also super strong.so I think
dilwale-250-270 cr
bm-90-110cr
sallu fans will cry after this weekend
DILWALE ALL THE WAY
According to me dilwale collection will be 180 cr n bajirao mastani will be 120 cr
Don 2 had potential to do great business but it was too classy for massy audience therefore it underperformed
This time it’s a perfect opportunity for dilwale to utilise the festive season
I m very excited to watch Dilwale tomorrow. Reports r excellent for Dilwale.
Aamir khan is true legend. Cheers!!!!!
dilwale will be an atbb In Shaa Allah
i will still say inspite of the clash that dilwale has maximum chance of reaching 300crs
on the other note i will be more than happy to see dp and bhansali being crushed. it shd flop In Shaa Allah.
Twitter reviews of Bm are treffic.
@indicine it looks like you are dealling with your trickiest prediction, otherwise you have posted the predictions of both films by now.
Where is predicyion for first day.
You are wrong indicine. The first christmas release of Aamir was Taare Zameen Paar and it was a superhit. So all of Aamir’s christmas release were not blockbusters.
@indicine: Why can’t you go a year back and analyse??
Akshay Kumar’s WELCOME was blockbuster even after competing with Aamir’s Masterpiece Taare Zameen Par.
TMK was ripped apart badly by everyone yet managed a semihit status!
@ indicine what about Welcome film it was also released on Christmas it was blockbuster . Toonpur ka superhero was also released with TMK .
Guys guys attention…
People who have watched it in middle east and other countries giving it thumbs down. They are calling it mindless masala with no new story at all. Unofficial Amitabh’s Hum.
Some Rohit Shetty’s usual action comedy with unnecessary melodramas and twist and turns. Only thing is SRK-Kajol chemistry. They are asking for money back….
So, its your choice to waste your money or not.. For me, BM all the way……
Epic Words Of Indicine…” Aamir Khan came, he saw and he conquered the weekend.”
Hatters Trolled Badly..
No one can come close to biggest global megastar aamir khan in Christmas. Because it requires tremendous unmatchable stardom which only megastar aamir khan has. Next year dangal will open 400 Cr club. Christmas is successful only because of him. Indicine also declared that other couldn’t be successful or matched aamir’s success. That speaks all.
Forget 400cr combine business for Dilwale and BAJIRAO on pre Xmas period when the cold already hits all-over India.
Both films will do 300cr max combine business.
Share will be 9:7 on good WOM
Dilwale = 160cr
BAJIRAO = 140cr
I’m going to watch BAJIRAO tomorrow fdfs
Har Har Mahadev
I know see why certain actors have been barred from lucrative holiday releases or are trashed by otther high profile celebrities who utilizes their holiday releases effectively when they clash.
I mean take a look at that list up. Shah Salman Aamir justifyd their portfolios with the Xmas holiday releases. Meanwhile akshay 61 crs is barely half of any of the khans lowest with highest drop% fall and least appreciative verdicts. Though not a new news!
Meanwhile the 3 khans should continue with their lucrative festive releases with their 100% track records. Ajay and Hritik too deserve a chunk too bcos Diwali, independence all have 100% track records too.
As for Dilwale, one thing is for sure it will also be included in the above list amongst both Salman and Aamir super succesful Xmas release blasts!!
Both Welcome n K3G also release during xmas
@indicine- post the dilwale and bm predictions plz..eagerly waiting
this time 2009 will be reapeted by diiiiilllllwaaaalllle
King aamir khan Rocks…
Tmk and don2…LOL
Dabangg 2 underpfrmd…still got the best verdict
Blockbuster