By Archit Mishra (Tweets @architmishra_06)
Come Eid-2016 and the mightiest superstars of Bollywood might lock horns with each other at the ticket window. No points for guessing, we’re talking about Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees taking on Salman Khan’s Sultan. Though, I’m still skeptical about this clash because, keep aside Salman, I really can’t imagine Yash Raj Films fighting it out against their all-time favourite star Shahrukh. But both the stars coming out in media and putting their claim at Eid-2016 couple of times, something that was evident during JTHJ-SOS clash, has only weakened my thought. Well, as of now we don’t know whether this clash will take place or not, but in this write up, we will attempt to foresee different aspects of this clash, if it happens.
Prospects of SULTAN
1. It’s known to all that the biggest advantage for Sultan is the man himself, Salman Khan. The present box office feat that Salman enjoys is just unparalleled.
With Chennai Express (2013), Shahrukh had managed to maintain a lead over Salman in Mumbai, Andhra/Nizam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Mysore circuits even after the release of Kick (2014). But, Bajrangi Bhaijaan has just altered the rules. From North to South, East to West, today Salman has an edge over Shahrukh in all the circuits except Tamil Nadu/ Kerala.
All India Circuit-Wise Comparison of Highest Grossers
Salman Khan v/s Shahrukh Khan
Territory | Salman Khan | Shahrukh Khan |
Mumbai | 90.7 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 68.5 (Chennai Express) |
Delhi/ UP | 70.5 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 38.8 (Chennai Express) |
East Punjab | 32.9 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 15.2 (Happy New Year) |
Rajasthan | 18.4 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 11.5 (Chennai Express) |
CP Berar | 19.0 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 10.0 (Chennai Express) |
CI | 12.5 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 7.5 (Chennai Express) |
Nizam/ Andhra | 16.2 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 15.2 (Chennai Express) |
Mysore | 17.3 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 15.1 (Chennai Express) |
Tamil Nadu/ Kerala | 4.4 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 6.9 (Chennai Express) |
West Bengal | 17.1 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 11.0 (Chennai Express) |
Bihar | 8.5 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 4.8 (Chennai Express) |
Assam | 3.3 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 1.8 (Chennai Express) |
Odisha | 3.8 (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) | 2.2 (Chennai Express) |
Note: All the collections are in CRORES.
2. Another big benefit for Sultan is that it is backed by the country’s best production house, Yash Raj Film (YRF). Thus, one can expect the budgeting, marketing and distribution to be top notch. Prior to Sultan, Salman and YRF have collaborated for Ek Tha Tiger which was super successful. Moreover, YRF are extremely smart in handling distribution, especially during a clash (everybody’s aware of their tactics during JTHJ vs SOS clash). The question is will they fight that hard against someone as influential as SRK?
3. Though, not much is revealed about the film so far, frankly speaking it’s too difficult to figure out any disadvantage for Sultan. Still, if one has to point a thing, I would like to know more about its genre – Action, Romance, Biography, Family or Sports, what exactly is Sultan all about because that might decide how big a winner it has the potential to turn out eventually.
Prospects of RAEES
1. Just like Sultan, the biggest plus for RAEES is its lead actor, Shah Rukh Khan. Moreover, Shahrukh’s impeccable record on clashes makes him invincible at the box-office. Just a look at the below data and you would know that Shahrukh’s best has come when someone has challenged him. In fact, except Aamir Khan, there’s practically no A-List actor from the present lot that hasn’t tasted defeat in the hands of SRK. Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgn, Govinda and Ranbir Kapoor, all have finished second to SRK in a clash.
The Clash Record
Shah Rukh Khan vs others
Year | Shahrukh Khan | Opposition |
1998 | KKHH[46.9 cr – ALL TIME BLOCKBUSTER] | Bade Miya Chhote Miya[19.2 cr – HIT] |
2000 | Mohabbatein[42 cr – BLOCKBUSTER] | Mission Kashmir[23 cr – AVERAGE] |
2004 | Veer Zara[41.9 cr – SUPER HIT] | Aitraaz[15.6 cr – AVERAGE] |
2006 | Don[50.3 cr – HIT] | Jaan-E-Mann[25.1 cr – FLOP] |
2007 | Om Shanti Om[78.2 cr – BLOCKBUSTER] | Saawariya[21 cr – DISASTER] |
2012 | JTHJ[120 cr – SUPER HIT] | SOS[101 cr – HIT] |
2. Secondly, the genre and the subject of Raees goes very well with the festivities of Eid. The intention of the makers to cash in on this advantage is pretty much visible in their tag line “Baniye ka dimaag… Miya bhai ki daring…” SRK’s menacing, yet intelligent avatar, was liked by one and all. The fact that Raees also has Nawazuddin Siddiqui only adds brownie points in its favour.
3. It’s quite an irony that when the last time Shahrukh (Don) and Salman (Jaan-E-Mann) indulged in a face off, Shahrukh’s film was backed by the same banner, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment. But, in reality, this only can be counted as a minus for Raees when compared with the veteran YRF.
An Insight of this Clash: Positive and Negative Aspects
1. Number of Screens – The Toughest Test: The biggest challenge for the producers / distributors will be to maximize the screen size of the country to a number that can house the enormous audience. Below is the depiction of Screen Count Distribution and Footfalls (Number of tickets sold) during Eid since last five years.
Year | Movie | Screen Count | Footfalls(in crores) |
2015 | Bajrangi Bhaijaan | 4100 (+8%) | 3.55 (+47%) |
2014 | Kick | 3800 (+ 5%) | 2.42 (-3%) |
2013 | Chennai Express | 3600 (+13%) | 2.52 (+2%) |
2012 | Ek Tha Tiger | 3200 (+16%) | 2.47 (+11%) |
2011 | Bodyguard | 2750 | 2.22 |
Today, a Khan film to be declared a Blockbuster must have at least 2 crore footfalls. Here an interesting point is that footfalls have remained more or less same between 2012 and 2014 before Bajrangi Bhaijaan grew magnanimously (+47%) and a similar growth in 2016 shall not be a cake walk. Still, considering the grandeur of this clash, if we consider the maximum growths in footfall and screen count, the picture for 2016 could something turn out like below.
Screen Count (with +16%) : 4800 (approx.)
Footfall (with +47%) : 5.2 crore
The screen size might be manageable, but footfall looks like a fantasy. This probably is the best case scenario which seems to be highly improbable. These footfalls are comparable only to that of Gadar which has the highest footfalls since last 20 years.
2. Magnitude of Success: Honestly, it is practically impossible to predict the moolah that these two films can bring in together on a festival as big as Eid. And this is also a proven fact that as far as content is accepted, two films can easily survive together, for ex. Gadar vs Lagaan or Jab Tak Hai Jaan vs Son of Sardaar. But the more relevant question is that will it be equivalent to what both these films are capable of minting as solo festival releases?
Have we ever wondered how many films does Bollywood make every year and how many of them actually succeed in keeping their distributors and producers happy? Consider 2014 as an example and the below facts can come as a shocker to many.
2014 Box Office Scenario
Total Films Released | 200 |
Safe Ventures Films that recovered their money (includes Hit Films) | 21 |
Clean Hits | 11 |
Success Percentage | 10% |
Hit Percentage | 5% |
The major chunk of this 5% profit and 10% recovery come from the Khans every year. Considering the current trade system, the least cost that a Khan film would land is 120 crore. Now the question is, would YRF and EXCEL consider the clash factor and mutually agree to sell their films at lesser prices to the distributors? Well, honestly speaking, that’s very difficult.
Minimum Combined Cost = 240 crore
Minimum Net Theatrical Business for Recovery = 450 crore plus.
- Huge Increase in Ticket Prices: It’s very much given that to accommodate the dearth of screens, producers/ distributors of both the films may release their films at all-time high rates which will eventually take a toll on the common man’s pocket.
- Unprecedented craze: As soon as there was an announcement of this clash, everybody starting from fans, to distributors and social media started speculating. Imagine what would happen if this clash turns into reality. The curiosity shall be beyond any comparisons and the media might present this as the D-Day battle with the winner taking everything and the loser left empty hands.
Author Note: This article is not to create fan-wars, but to give the box office lovers at Indicine a clearer picture as to what to expect if the massive clash does take place. I would love to know what you feel about the article. Do share your feedback and suggestions in the comments section. Any article suggestions are welcome! Also, do read my older article that were published on Indicine before.
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and Shah Rukh Khan is already unfazed by film clash with Salman Khan after all he has won over salman 3 times already in clash.
Teacher – Write your fathers name in this column
Salman fan – *Thinks SRK ke saath kiski movie clash ho rahi hai *
SLB Ki.
*WritesSLB’sName*
You can’t lose clash 2 back to back years on the same festival ( Diwali ) until & unless you are Salman Khan Salman Khan .
You can’t lose clash 2 back to back years on the same festival ( Diwali ) until & unless you are Salman Khan Salman Khan . ( 2005 garam masala vs kyunki 2006 Don vs Janeman ) then cameo in 2007 Diwali Saawariya vs OSO ) 2009 Diwali MAMK vs ATB ) !
let salman and amir enjoy their success for a change after 20 years in the cinema atleast now they can be closer to the King!!! this should not happen for salman’s sake, srk is and will always be the king of bollywood!!!
Clash Clash.. SRK is the person who gave an ATBB ( KKHH ) & 3 all time grossers ( OSO , RNBDJ , & CE ) , a blockbusters films like M’tein ,CDI ,OSO, DTPH, V-Z many more while facing clashes, whereas Salman is the one who gave a legendary films like Marigold, GTGH, JEM, MAMK etc with clashes . :D
& has tasted defeat 3 + times against SRK , so his fans don’t have any rights to talk about it even .
Salman Khan – Shah Rukh Khan has defeated me twice in Box Office CLASH.
Filmbuff Amod Mehra : ” Shah Rukh Khan, according to me is more internationally famous than Salman, so Raees should release on Eid only ” – https://t.co/B6tItFz1Gx
Guys don’t compare our global star with local star salman. History will repeat himself I think salman fans forget what happened with jaaneman biggest disaster in salman Khan’s carees. So please keep away from king Khan starer REES otherwise this movie will destroy your career for forever. World’s Biggest Films Star in the world is non other than our SHAH RUKH KHAN sir
Sultan should be postpone to Christmas 2016 so that we will see aamir’s tears in Media once again.
@legend naatu khan..I think u r gonna mad..
ramjane kick ahat at box office..yes boss was a hit dayavan flop..rbgyj was a average..dmg not a srk film ..& others are flop but their nett cllctn is more..
biggest slap on ur face..too much fun
RAEES will take bigger opening than Sultan
Rest is on content
About content-Raees is directed by a acclaimed director Rahul Dholakia while Sultan is Directed by gundey fame ali abbas zafar.
So lifetime collection of Raees will be higher.
Verdict-SRK wins!!!
I am smelling a PLAN between SRK and YRF to end Salman’s Career on Eid 2016.
LOL
LOL
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
RAEES
Sultan
Bhai fans:
As BB cross 300cr.
In every comoments only PRDP 350cr+.
Soooooooooo….SULTAN will win the clash.
I think Bhai & sooraj bj is not any god that what they touch become platinum I mean their film always be blockbuster.
Let’s wait for film’s trailer & songs & mostly Diwali.
And also for Dilwale.
I love both of their films.
SRK always best in acting.
BHAI always great performer.
Sultan & Raees both open with similar in number.
Then which film show growth depent on positive WOM.
may god do justice with the best.
Correct your facts please srk beats amir by ram jaane
@legend yeda….this for tight slapppppp
Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan who are two of the biggest box office stars of the day have clashed once in history at the box office and it will probably be their only box office clash while their box office pull remains. The clash happened way back in 1995 when both actors were emerging stars.
Shahrukh Khan was racing to the top with Karan Arjun and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge while Aamir Khan had just established himself with a big hit and popular performance in the form of Rangeela. The box office trend was just changing from action to family romantic dramas but here the action film came out on top.
Akele Hum Akele Tum was expected to do better before release due to the combination of Aamir Khan and director Mansoor Khan, the combo had delivered a huge hit with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and fair runner in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander and the music had scored and the film had been well promoted by Venus but the action masala Ram Jaane with Shahrukh Khan easily outshone Akele Hum Akele Tum.
Ram Jaane was ahead from day one and remained there through the run and finished with share of 1 crore more than Akele Hum Akele Tu, it may not be much now but the gap is equivalent to the gap between a 60 crore grosser and a 80 crore grosser today.
Ram Jaane also managed to fare better in Overseas despite Akele Hum Akele Tum having the more Overseas friendly genre. It did better in US / Canada but the numbers were dull in United Kingdom where Ram Jaane was much better.
Akele Hum Akele Tum v Ram Jaane Box Office Details
Akele Hum Akele Tum Ram Jaane
Budget 4,50,00,000 3,75,00,000
Screens 165 175
First Day 40,00,000 62,00,000
First Weekend 1,29,00,000 1,78,00,000
First Week 2,34,75,000 3,15,50,000
Second Week 1,57,00,000 1,97,00,000
Third Week 1,05,25,000 1,23,00,000
Lifetime Nett Gross 7,06,50,000 8,60,75,000
Distributor Share 3,61,00,000 4,60,25,000
Footfalls 68,53,000 1,01,47,000
Overseas Gross $190,000 (30 prints) $200,000 (26 prints)
@Indicine,Please compare the movies according with the superstar formula you created for SRK and Salman as well as Akshay,Ajay and Aamir.
All clashes of next year:
Mohenjadaro VS Rastom
Dangal VS THUG
Sultan VS Raees
Shivaay VS ?????
Sulman will rule for sure
@xzone bro your concept is wrong as it was not solo release for bajrangi bhaijaan, it got the competition even from its first week with baahubi which is the biggest movie of tollywood, but it is salmans stardom who defeated it and wayed his movie to al time blockbuster
Few years Ago, Bangladesh cricket team always used to lose Any ODI Series against india But Recently India Almosst got Whitewashed by the same Team A Big Lessson To every SRK Fans Dont live in your past Live in your Present
You already got warning fro, Ajay during SOS release Next Year Salman Bhai Is Gonna Teach you Another Lesson
SULTAN will thrash GAREEB
Ram Jaane (Hindi: ??? ????, Urdu: ??? ?????, translation: “Ram Knows”) is a 1995 Indian Bollywood Action Crime movie directed by Rajiv Mehra about an unnamed kid (portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan) who grows up to become a gangster. He uses the name Ram Jaane after meeting with a priest who in response to the kid asking about his name said Ram Jaane (God knows). It is the fourth time Shah Rukh Khan is playing a negative role after Baazigar, Darr and Anjaam. The film clashed with Akele Hum Akele Tum starring Aamir Khan. While Ram Jaane was “Hit” at the box office, Akele Hum Akele Tum was declared “flop” by Box Office India.
Absolutely crap article. Just copy pasted facts from boi which is a non trustworthy website in itself
luk at the bo collection
ce collection add upto just 205cr and if rest circuits are added up then it will b 208cr which is boi figure not official figure that indicine always publishes
now coming to no. Of successul films released since 2014 it says just 21 which is completely wrong
last year 17films tasted bo success
hasee toh phasee
gunday
highway
queen
ragini mms2
main toh hero
2 states
heropanti
holiday
villain
Humpty
kick
singham returns
mardaani
mary kom
haider
bang bang
happy new year
pk
and 2015
baby
badlapur
nh10
dlkh
Gabbar
Piku
Twmr
Abcd2
Bajrangi bhaijaan
Welcome Back
so the actual no. Of successul films is 28 and not mere 21 while quantity of clean hit is 22 not mere 10!!!
@indicine when u always publish official accurate verdicts and collections then how can u suddenly publish an article that is based on facts given by boi!!!how can u go against ur own principle of following official sources all of a sudden? ?
I can speak for bengal and ce collected around 12.3cr here
Guyz, I am persuading indicine into letting me write articles about flop movies of supestars that had good content,were fun and people loved them yet flopped at box office. If you want to read this article, please like my comment.
@indicine please correct your fact about Amir khan V.s SRK…SRK is winner…
1995 AKele hum akele tum v.s Ramjaane.
@flopzone:
Anybody can dare to compete with chota-mota star movies. Thats why Dehati express got competition from its 6th day.
If you don’t want comparison between 2013 release with 2015 release then compare queen’s latest release crappy new year with BB. But the result is 176cr for crappy new year & 316cr for BB…LOL.
I have nothing against archit sharma but je just copy pastes facts from boi always.
On the other hand u always publish official figures and verdicts which is the correct thing to do
so please ask ur writer Mr. Archit Sharma to either switch to officially sources or just stop posting his nonsenical articles every year because u r only fooling urself by following boi which is nvr followed by the common public as well as 95% of media
Actually SOS vs JTHJ was the mother of all clashes. Because both Ajay sir & queen’s stardom is same, both the movies collected in the same range…