His last failure was way back in January 2010. Since then, Salman Khan has relentlessly delivered back-to-back blockbusters.
- Dabangg – 140 crores
- Ready – 121 crores (non-festive release)
- Bodyguard – 145 crores
- Total – 406 crores (average of 135 crores per film)
Those are staggering numbers, but what those figures don’t tell you is that, Salman Khan has been lucky enough to get the ‘perfect release’ for each of his films including the upcoming Ek Tha Tiger, which releases during an extended weekend of 6 days (including the holiday for EID on Monday)
To add to the ‘perfect release’, there is no denying the fact that Salman Khan has played it safe. In a recent interview, Khan, talking about his position as the numero uno star in the country, said “It’s a very dangerous position to be in. I don’t know what to do in my next film. If the script is full on action, I think, again an action film. If it is romance, I wonder if it will do well right after an action film.”
With action-masala films all the rage at the box-office, Salman has persisted with that genre and that’s unlikely to change in the future too – apart from Sooraj Barjatya’s next which is likely to release in 2014.
His films are faring better than the rest, but to say Salman is way ahead of the rest , would be wrong. Infact, his contemporaries, aren’t too far behind.
- Aamir Khan – 3 Idiots surpassed the 200 crore mark, when no other film (apart from his own Ghajini of course) had even touched 100 crores. The 202 crore figure still stands tall. Like Salman said recently “It’s a shame that no film has managed to beat 3 Idiots in 3 years”. The blind faith that the audience have in ‘brand Aamir’ plays a major role too. With Dhoom 3, every standing record will be broken and probably the 250 – 300 crore mark too.
- Hrithik Roshan – The dark and gory Agneepath broke the Bodyguard record and managed 120 crore+ even though it didn’t hold much appeal towards the family audience. As for those crediting Katrina Kaif’s item number for the success of Agneepath, wait for Krrish 3!
- Shahrukh Khan – A rejected film like Ra One, which dropped even before the end of it’s first weekend, did business of 120 crores+ (including hindi version). Don 2, with limited appeal towards single-screen audience, did close to 115 crores. Give SRK a well-made film, with universal appeal and the 3 Idiots record will be in danger. And we aren’t even talking about overseas business here.
- Akshay Kumar – Rowdy Rathore did 131 crores – 10 more than Ready, which had a similar release and 10 short of Bodyguard, without an extended weekend release. Akshay isn’t too far behind, is he?
The point of the article is not to say, Salman isn’t the top star in the industry today. He is. Just that, the other names mentioned above are all equally capable of delivering a ‘festive blockbuster’ with a perfectly timed release.
^ Teri Meri Kahaani had universal appeal, if it featured SRK or Aamir, it would have opened very well. If Imran Khan does Ek Tha Tiger, it simply would not work, as he doesn’t suit the role. Not everyone can convincingly do what Salman does on-screen. His films have no story, but Salman’s aura and charisma, make his characters look larger-than-life. Can Ranbir do it? I doubt. Akshay can.
@shahid well 3 idiots(chrismas) was festive release, raone was diwali release{extented weekend), don 2 was christmas release and even ghajni(extended weekend) released on Xmas, even agneepath released on holiday and extended weekend. i believe ready is salman’s movie which released during non festive occassion and grossed more than raone, agneepath and don 2. the reason why salman films gets huge opening because of his biggest fan following, even people who hate salman, watch his movies on opening day. i have respect for aamir but 3idiots credit should also go to raju because film success is because of master piece script. salman is undisputed king wether you like it or not
@indicine when will you post ek tha tiger box office prediction article
INDICINE….in the past also many films of many actors have released on diwali or dassera or christmas or republic day festive period..an people liked u watch films during festive period..so whats the big deal..an talking about eid festive period..in the past there was such eid festival period release film..salman bhai started this trend with “wanted “..if u remember..so we can say that bhai owns eid release..an fans or moviegoers people expect film form him during eid ..so requirement is from both sides..so please from next time dont be too harsh while writing about bhai…try 2 think from bhai’s point of view….OK .
@Indicine, I understand what you mean but by universal appeal I mean Massy Action Masala entertainers, which are the flavour of the season (earlier it was the case with comedies). Because if you look at it, which film that was of that particular genra failed at the box office in recent times. Agent Vinod and Tezz were not masala entertainers as they were more multiplex targeted. Each film that was a masala entertaine wheather it was Rowdy Rathore, Bol Bachchan, Jannat 2, Ishaqzaade, TNLHG (to a certaint extenet), Agneepath, etc. etc. You cannot count Players, Tezz, Agent Vinod (because it was targeted more at multiplexes) and Department (because almost all of RGV’s films have flopped at the box office and just weren’t really entertaining which is why the audience didn’t go to watch it) I understand how you mean that if SRK or Aamir were in TMK it would’ve opened very well which is true as they have a huge fan following. As I earlier mentioned, Kaminey was an action masla entertainer, and that film had opened extremely well at the box office despite the swine flu scare. And how you mentioned Jims 2 and KSKHH opened better than TMK, it wouldn’t really be because of star value, it would be more because of controversies, skin show and the brand value (both are sequels to immensely successful films). I still agree with your article, its just that I mean that the industry needs to open up more to newcomers and the younger generation as they are going to be the ones that are going to be carrying and representing Bollywood in the future (as you can see how alomst 90% of all the big budget commercially viable big banner productions announced are with the senior actors, when at times the younger ones could also fit the bill. I know that sometimes they don’t but at times they still do), because I don’t think that Salman, Aamir, SRK and Akshay are going to be romaning girls in their 20’s when they are 60+ years old while punching and kicking.
People here saying that Salman cant act.. its not true.. he is one of the best actor in bollywood..
No way…he actually don’t know how to act….he’s just playing safe by doing same action movies…wy don’t he getting a awards…srk’s undisputed king of bollywood after srk., hrithik roshan will be de king for sure…
Wait for de krrish 3 tsunami on 1st nov 2013….
I hope along with ek tha tiger, srk’s rom film all so does well it will be wrong if I just praise ett
guys stop fighting, every dog has a day, today is salman’s day, tomorrow it will be some one else.
Frankly, don’t care …only I know is THE ONE WHO WINS IS KING…and till date AAMIR stands tall with 202 cr……
Ok, I have nothing against anybody but today I’ll speak what I think… Salman Khan is a very popular actor, with the most stardom in Bollywood… but with ZERO acting skills! I’m really sorry but that dude can’t act!
I clearly dont agree with indicine team and few of my friends coz if u see SRK career his most of the films released in festive season that to with big banners and above that he was supported by big stars like amitabh Bachman, Salman himself,hritikh etc. I agree that Aamir is no doubt India’ s best actor but he releases One film in 4 years. so what is the point, would Salman had worked with big banners and released one film after many years then we would have witnessed what unimaginable figures he had produced.forget about hritikh and akshay they are way behind.and mind you that the above Salman films were below average in terms of story and quality.give a good film to Salman and possibility of 400 crs would not be a big deal.what I have written is a fact , I think most of my friends will agree with me.
@Mogambo, again I didn’t deny the fact that Salman is the top star. The point that I was trying to make is, the gap isn’t too big between him and the others. Sure, he has all the top grossers today, but with the right release and film, every other star mentioned above is equally capable of breaking records. What makes you say Hrithik and Akshay are far behind? Agneepath broke the opening day record and Rowdy Rathore came pretty close to Bodyguard.
Indicine: we wiLL taLk about this after 15 August mind my words…!! Earlier salman was not working to become number one because of his so caLLed mean friend SRK.. who wanted all the fame.. but now he is doing that just to make SRK realize that he messed up with the GR8 salman khan and beLieve me it doesn’t matter ki what is inside in movie , we saLLu fan’s go to watch SALMAN KHAN and his fans are enough to break all records for him. and this time u just w8 and watch..!!! :)
@Nirvana OK you go ahead do some acting youself. salman’s acting in tere naam, maine pyar kiya, hum aapke hain kuan and jaaneman is masterpiece. who is salman khan?, the no. 1 star in india. who is Nirvana?, some cheap low life lazy bum who accomplihed nothing in life and hate salman just of the success he had. even a dum person can say salman has zero acting skills with tere naam act.
@sohail man i DONT wanna see your name on any article because you are double face lier. on dhoom 3 page you were praising salman and dissing aamir and here you are dissing salman. take a hide you cheapster, wait a minute, i get it, it not your fault you are srk fan
One more sad thing that indicine team said that perfect release concept of Salman khan films.no doubt he is releasing films on Eid since last 4 yrs but there was one non holiday release too,Ready,don’t forget the other stars you mentioned also released their films on festive season or when they many open weeks.please check their record before misguiding your followers indicine
@Mogambo, coming to your second comment, Rowdy Rathore and Ready both released after the IPL and both films had open weeks, with the only competition being smaller releases. Yes, RR released on more screens, but it did collect more too.
And finally in response to your last comment, it’s taking credit away from what Salman Khan has achieved to say – he did it to prove something to SRK. He started taking his career seriously for himself and his fans. He also stopped doing films as favours for his friends in the industry.
It is high time for all of us that we have to agree that he is the biggest superstar of country and a parallel film industry and a very good human being without fake or dual character like SRK.if 1 % of people saying that Salman don’t know acting then why his films are doing magical business at boxoffice.his acting skills are different,what he can do no one does.ever since he(Salman) found SRK a selfish person and his cunning nature,Salman started taking his career serious and what is wrong in it,it’s an open challenge to all. I ask indicine that can any actor in India now dare to release a film with Salman now.
Ek din aaye ga, Jab Log Kahay ge, Ek Tha Salman. . .
Mogambo I agree with u
It is hard to say. There have been many actors acquiring number one position in bollywood. Aamir, Salman and Shahrukh are true heartthrob of the nation. All their films works. Highs and lows are inevitable. All targets the masses.
But by looking back to his career since 25 years.. All I can say is that the ultimate and undisputed King of Bollywood is — AAMIR KHAN, a brand himself.
How can u guys compare srk and salman on the bases of acting? Salman is far behind in acting compared to srk. Salman’s acting in tera naam, jaan e man etc are nothing in front of SRK’s my name is khan. Infact all the movies of salman can’t beat SRK’s acting in my name is khan. Srk is far more better than salman on the bases of acting.
But on entertaining salman is better, all he does is make some body and dance in item song, fake action( don’t know how people are loving fake action).
He is on top because— remakes, holiday weekend , only action genre.
Next year SRK has 2 releases and both are Happy New Year(comedy) and Chennai Express(masala,action) films and are releasing on non festive seasons.And am sure SRK will be on top at end of 2013.And this year,he’s gonna crush Ajay badly on Diwali,trust me.
still the undisputed NO:1 is Akshay Kumar……all the way.what matters in an actor is what we call the range to showcase different acting persona through different movies in an year. he is the only actor wih an average 4 movies everyyear and majority hits and huge profits to the producer. he is the only actor with 9 movies lined upto 2014.if he finds his character change in every movie that shows his brilliance…coming once in 3 yrs and delivering a hit like aamir …anybody can do it.and Akshay is the only actor to have superhits and won awards for different genre- like action, romance, villain role, comedy and as supporting actor.now those with commonsense tell me who’s no:1?????????
And one more thing, saying Aamir Khan has one release in 3 years, hence his films do huge business is wrong. Aamir had 5 releases between 2006-2009 and all his films did well. And if you have been noticing, most actors have just one release per year these days. Except Akshay, who has more frequent releases that even Salman Khan, he does 4 films a year – and two of them this year arrived 2 months apart, both were huge grossers.
Indicine you are comparing Salman with other stars films with some benefits like- Agneepath it was Dharma production best publicity ensured plus Sanjay dutt factor in the promo.honestly tell me hritikh alone can get this opening and credit should also go to Bodyguard as Agneepath promo released with it.you should compare rowdy rathore with Ready not bodyguard .remember Ready was most low rated film of Salman in 2011.RR was a well made film despite that it earned 8 crs more with a gap of 1 yr and more screens and 16 crs less then Bodyguard if you know about trade it’s a big difference.
ready and bodyguard also arrived 3 months apart and ready was released after world cup and ipl both and moreover ready was a comedy film and collected more than houseful 2 releasing a year ago
@Mogambo, certainly. Bodyguard even had competition from a big release on it’s 10th day. But again, I am not denying Salman isn’t the biggest star. All I am trying to say is, the others aren’t far behind. Salman has the advantage of a strong fan-following in the interiors, in the smallest of towns and villages.
saquib, its unbelievably stupid how Salman fans are only talking about his last three films. Where the hell was he in 2006, 2007 or 2008? Where were his so called die-hard fans when Kyun Ki, Shaadi Karke Phas gaya, Marigold, Salaam-e-ishq, Heroes, Main Aur Mrs Khanna, Veer, London Dreams and many more other films released? Some of them didnt even get 2 crore opening. This was the time when Akshay gave 8 hits in a row, Hrithik was giving blockbuster, SRK was doing very well and Aamir was at the top of his game.
WHERE WAS SALMAN KHAN or HIS FANS? Can you answer this Mogambo???
Still you didn’t clear about perfect release concept of Salman films as SRK’s most film released during festive season.then why this partiality.you would have said that Salman is following SRK method.but if u take the numbers the difference between Salman film and next big hit of that year was very wide in these last years that we didn’t see in SRK films in previous years.post SRK war it took only 1 year for Salman to become No.1 star in India according to boxofficeindia.com this shows how lethal and biggest star he is.u have to agree with me on this.dont you
why does indicine favours always srk i really donno.As everyone knews the business of ra one in India was 114 crore & don 2 was 106 crores,then why is this indicine makes those figures as 120 & 115 crores.Be honest yaar.No need of this fake numbers competition.
I know 85% of the negative comments are given by which crap hero fans.But my sincere advice to them is ready film was released on june 3 2011 which is no way any festive season and released in 1800 screens with less hype & expectations but still became the next highest grosser after the no.1Bodyguard which was released in eid so got released in 2700 screens but both the films ruled the boxoffice of 2011 & crushed some crap films which were released during diwali & christmas with highest screen release of bollywood films around 4300+ screens but couldn’t stand no near to bodyguard & ready.
So to all the fools who argue that salman doesn’t know acting then what was he doing in bollywood from the past 23 years and how does his films are ruling the roost.Grow up and just get lost from this site kill ur ego’s and mind ur work.
omg..those who r saying that salman is nt no.1 its k but y u saying that salman give blockbuster only bcoz of festival holidays its nt true than y ‘ready’ become blockbuster…if ur fact is right than today srk is super star only bcoz festival realeasd bcs his 10 films realeased within dilawli and out of 9 are hits and amir also give big hits like ghajni and 3idiots on christmas festival…so its very unfair to say that salman give hit bcs of festival..u can get gud opening bcoz of holidays bt nt till end..and ra.1 and don 2 also realeasd on holidays than y tat movies were fail to break ready collection movie???