2016 has been a good year so far. Airlift topped January, Neerja became the 2nd highest grosser of February, Kapoor & Sons topped March and FAN became the 3rd highest grosser of April. May has been a poor month, but all eyes are now on Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 3 and Salman Khan’s Sultan.
Salman could (actually, should) achieve a record that only belongs to Aamir Khan so far. More on that below.
Movies that have topped each month this year have been highlighted in blue colour.
January: Airlift became the highest grosser of January, beating the collections of Agneepath and Jai Ho.
- Airlift (128 cr) – Akshay Kumar
- Agneepath (122 cr) - Hrithik Roshan
- Jai Ho (112 cr) - Salman Khan
February: Ghayal Once Again, Sanam Re and Fitoor all failed at the box office, but Sonam Kapoor’s Neerja not only went on to become the 2nd highest grosser of the year, but has also become the 2nd highest February grosser of all time.
- Gunday (78 cr) - Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor
- Neerja (76 cr) – Sonam Kapoor
- My Name Is Khan (73 cr) - Shahrukh Khan
March: Kapoor & Sons has become the highest grosser of March, by grossing 75 crore at the domestic box office. Vidya Balan’s Kahaani, which was previously the 3rd highest grosser of the month, is out of the list.
- Kapoor & Sons (75 cr) – Sidharth Malhotra
- Race (63 cr) – Saif Ali Khan
- Queen (62 cr) – Kangana Ranaut
April: Shah Rukh Khan’s FAN was expected to become the highest ever grosser for the month of April, but it wasn’t to be as the film finished below the 100 crore mark. FAN (85 cr) replaces Aashiqui 2 (81 crore) as the 3rd highest grosser of April.
- Housefull 2 (116 cr) - Akshay Kumar and John Abraham
- 2 States (102 cr) – Arjun Kapoor
- FAN (85 cr) - Shah Rukh Khan
May: Last year, Tanu Weds Manu Returns did the unthinkable by grossing Rs 151 crore at the domestic box office and Akshay Kumar’s Gabbar Is Back took the third spot. This year has been poor though. Azhar has failed and Sarbjit will be an average 25-30 crore grosser at best. No changes to the Top 3 for the first time this year.
- Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (189 cr) – Ranbir Kapoor
- Tanu Weds Manu Returns (151 cr) – Kangana Ranaut
- Gabbar Is Back (87 cr) – Akshay Kumar
June: All eyes will now be on Housefull 3 as Akshay Kumar targets his own film – Rowdy Rathore – which also happens to be his biggest grosser of all time. Interestingly, Akshay has been very successful during the ‘Post IPL’ period – which has given him his 1st and 3rd highest grossers. If Housefull 3 turns out to be a entertaining comedy film, it could top the month of June.
- Rowdy Rathore (134 cr) – Akshay Kumar
- Ready (121 cr) – Salman Khan
- Holiday (113 cr) – Akshay Kumar
July: It was expected to be a battle between Salman and Shah Rukh this year, but it wasn’t to be as Raees backed out of the Eid clash. It’s going to be Salman vs Salman for both the 1st and 2nd spot. If Sultan collects more than 116 crore (which it should achieve quite easily in about 4-5 days), then the entire month of July will belong to Salman. No other actor apart from Aamir Khan (December) has dominated an entire month, so that’ll be yet another record that Aamir created and Salman matched.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan is currently the top grosser, followed by Kick. It’ll be interesting to see where Sultan finishes. Topping Bajrangi Bhaijaan is going to be difficult, but achievable. All eyes will be on the initial, because if that’s earth-shattering like ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ or ‘Bodyguard’ then it would mean 200 crore would be a cakewalk, even if the reports are mixed.
Amidst the hype around Sultan, two films that are undoubtedly big films are ‘Great Grand Masti’ and ‘Dishoom’. Both in the month of July, but highly unlikely to make it to the Top 3.
- Bajrangi Bhaijaan (321 cr) – Salman Khan
- Kick (233 cr) – Salman Khan
- Baahubali (116 cr) - Prabhas, Rana Daggubati
August: Brothers failed last year, but 2016 marks the return of Hrithik Roshan in Mohenjo Daro, which is set to clash against Akshay’s third release of 2016 – Rustom. We also have Tiger Shroff’s ‘A Flying Jatt’ lined up for release. Currently, it’s all Salman and SRK for August. If Mohenjo Daro clicks, it could potentially take the top spot, otherwise even an entry into the Top 3 might be difficult because of the clash.
- Chennai Express (227 cr) - Shahrukh Khan
- Ek Tha Tiger (199 cr) - Salman Khan
- Bodyguard (145 cr) – Salman Khan
September: MS Dhoni biopic, Baar Baar Dekho and Rangoon are the big releases of September. The target will be crossing the 100 crore mark to beat Grand Masti.
- Dabangg (140 cr) - Salman
- Barfi! (106 cr) – Ranbir Kapoor
- Grand Masti (100 cr) – Ritesh Deshmukh and Vivek Oberoi
October: The month of Diwali has biggies in the form of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shivaay. There is Mirziya too, which is a big-budget film that has the potential to do well. The target will be SRK’s Ra One / Happy New Year and Hrithik’s Bang Bang.
- Happy New Year (204 cr) - Shahrukh Khan
- Bang Bang (181 cr) - Hrithik Roshan
- Ra.One (125 cr) – Shahrukh Khan
November: It’ll be a month of sequels – Rock On 2, Kahaani 2, Force 2 and Tum Bin 2 – in that order are the biggest releases of the month.
- Krrish 3 (244 cr) – Hrithik Roshan
- Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (213 cr) – Salman Khan
- Jab Tak Hai Jaan (120 cr) - Shahrukh Khan
December: The Christmas weekend has been dominated by Aamir Khan over the years. Stars like Akshay Kumar (Tees Maar Khan), Shahrukh Khan (Don 2) and Salman Khan (Dabangg 2) have tried their luck, but Aamir is in a league of his own in December. Shah Rukh tried his luck once again, but failed with Dilwale. Ranveer’s Bajirao Mastani did much better, but failed to beat 3 Idiots. It’ll be Aamir vs Aamir once again this year, as he would be targeting the record of Dhoom 3 at the very least. But if there is one man in the industry, who you would place your bet on beating the total of PK, it would be Aamir himself. Strong content, of course, will be the key.
- PK (340 cr) – Aamir Khan
- Dhoom 3 (285 cr) – Aamir Khan
- 3 Idiots (202 cr) – Aamir Khan
Final Analysis
- January - Akshay Kumar
- February – Ranveer and Arjun
- March - Sidharth Malhotra
- April – Akshay Kumar
- May – Ranbir Kapoor
- June – Akshay Kumar
- July – Salman Khan
- August – Shah Rukh Khan
- September – Salman Khan
- Octctober – Shah Rukh Khan
- November – Hrithik Roshan
- December – Aamir Khan
Akshay has three highest grossers of the month, Salman and SRK have two highest grossers of the month. Ranbir, Aamir, Ranveer, Arjun and Sidharth have one each. Aamir is the only actor (currently) to dominate the entire month of December.
Article idea and Credit: Saksham Duggal
Off topic cmnt but its too hilarious nd shocking! One last time .
You all users will shocked to know That from 2000 to 2009 that is total 10 years Ajay DEVGAN has given only one clean hit and that too a franchise..Yes it’s only one clean hit in one decade that too a sequel golmaal 2 !!
Shocked?
SHAMEFUL ?
ROFL?
So I was right to put him in league of sunil, saif in overall carrer vise. (After this shocking Fact this league is looking too big for him )
Saif >> 5 clean hits from 2000 to 2009 But Ajay legend only 1..Also Listen he has given 30 flop/average during this time against 1 Clean hit.
I HAVE CHECK ALL HIS MOVIES VERDICTS on indicine SO IT’S A REAL FACT.
I really want to know reaction of you guys..especially @Babaji@Challa@ nd other neutral People,not of those who just want to give him respect nd make him look big star which he isn’t .
Nd ofcourse@AISHA :-P ?
waiting for mohenjo daro, housefull 3 and sultan
I laugh everytime I see Krrish 3 (244 CR).
Good job Indicine. Loved your article after a long time.
All actors have their own way of working and it’s commendable.
Aamir dominates the Christmas season. At a time when we think the year belongs to Salman or Shahrukh, he comes at the end of the year and gives a HGOTY/HGOAT
Salman and Shahrukh eye the Eid and Diwali, or sometimes Xmas when it is vacant.
Hrithik follows up with national holidays or EDX sometimes if possible.
Akshay is in his own league. Currently he is eyeing all the National Holidays. Doing 4 films in today’s time and maintaining your star status is quite difficult and he should appreciated for that. And I am quite surprised to see him having the maximum number of films here.
Ajay I hope the situation changes for him after Shivaay and Baadshao.
Saif is a surprise here too.
Awesome and unique article.
That’s why we love u guys .
Why have you only listed Sidharth Malhotra for K&S? Fawad was the co-lead!
Also, you put down Bahubali here, but not The Jungle Book?
EDX – Khans
National Holidays – Hrithik and Akshay
Non- Holidays – Akshay and Ranbir
Sultan 300cr for sure !
Houseful 3 is a multistarrer film so indicine correct ur err plz u cant mention 71 cr actor name
Shivaay has hight chance to surpaas hny shivaay all the way i cant wait
“Akshay has three highest grossers of the month, Salman and SRK have two highest grossers of the month. Ranbir, Aamir, Ranveer, Arjun and Sidharth have one each. Aamir is the only actor (currently) to dominate the entire month of December.”
@indicine: Stop ignoring Hrithik!
Only Aamir and Salman are megastars. Teesra Khan is a flop actor as proved by FAN.
How many hollidays did akshay kumar wastage last year? He is doing 71cr movies in hollidays while others crossing 200, 300cr marks hahahahaha super star akshay kumar joke of the year superstar become maha super star in hollidays lol
Who has crap voice in bollywood? I think u all got it
As far as am concerned all this is not important what is important is delivering Hgoty and Hgotd that’s when men are separated from boys.
Salman, Aamir and Akshay are eying their own records held by BB, PK and RR. Hope they break it.
Btw congratulations bro @Saksham, really wonderful idea. U must definitely join Indicine in future. Keep rocking!
@THUG I Will not talk about khans here unnecessary..Strange to C 8-thik roshan name with them .
Nd Akki is far better & Bigger star then your favourite 8-thik roshan .
First Tell your Hrithik to even come near to Akshay in popularity in interiors of our country :-P just Jumping on fake collections of krish 3 :-P
I was nt a hatter of akshay kumar but after seeing @Sunny akkiholic coments against ajay devgn nw im become big hatter of akshay kumar & give harsh c0ments in fb twitter website due to sunny akkholic give respect take respect
Gunday>My Name is Khan
2 States>Fan
Forget Salman-Aamir or Akshay-Hrithik, even Arjun Kapoor’s films are earning more than SRK. SRK should immediately start doing sex comedies like Kya Kool Hain Hum 4 and Masti 4 just like most of the losers Aftab, Vivek and Tusshar are doing these days.
@Sunny I am speechless?.If I am not wrong even Dino morea has 1solo hit to his credit during this phase.Makes for an interesting comparison between two superstars.
But I do agree the reason why ajay doesn’t have too many haters is because he has never been in the race of top 5.So once your opponent isn’t a threat for you,you don’t really bother about him?
Probably Top Grosser of 2016
1. Sultan(SALMAN),
2. Mohenjodaro(HRITHIK),
3. Dangal(AAMIR),
4. Housefull 3(AKSHAY),
5. Airlift/Adhm/Shivaay(AKSHAY-RANBIR-AJAY)…..
There are only 3 films that have a potential of touching 200cr this year,SULTAN,DANGAL and MAHENJO DARO(solo release).
150cr are only 2 SHIVAAY(solo release) and HOUSEFULL 3.
MIRZIYA is one film that am excited about since the poster was released i can’t wait for this film.
Kangana Ranaut is also a top star
Salman and Aamir are dominating December and July. So they’ll be occupying that.
January will either belong to Hrithik or Shahrukh next year, but if both of them turn out to be equally average or equally bad. Then Airlift’s record might be safe.
Akshay has good chances of expanding his list. If Namastey England releases during Feb-April next year(as @Indicine is expecting), it can occupy the first position in any of the months. If it releases on May, then it will replace Gabbar is Back(Akki’s own film) to get the 3rd spot. Robot 2 will give him entry into one of the months in the second half of the year.
Hrithik will enter the August list this year with Mohenjodaro.
Since Baadshoo is releasing on March 2017, Ajay has a good chance to enter atleast 1 list.
No doubt in it
Sultan will open 400 crore club in India
agneepath remains on top from 2012 to 2015 now hritik will again be on top after kaabil
@sunny akkiholic : That’s shocking! Is Ajay worthy of being called a superstar? Big question..
@Ajay Rocks: Agree with the rest but you think Sultan is an experimental risky movie??
Not at all,it’s pure massy commercial film and a guaranteed success at the Boxoffice.
Thank you for posting this article again and at the right time . @ Indicine I think you should add The Jungle Book in the month of April . I know it is a Hollywood movie but it has done 100 CR+ in Hindi version and it is currently the 2nd Highest Non Holiday Grosser only after YJHD . May has been the worst month of 2016 till now . Traffic, One Night Stand, 1920 London, Azhar and now Sarbjit all have failed at the Box Office . Akshay has the best chance to beat RR with H3 . It has been 4 years and RR still remains the Highest Grosser of his career . Rustom will find it tough to do 135+ and clash with MD will make it even more difficult . If all goes well H3 should be Akki’s Highest Grosser and if not it should do 100 in the worst scenario . Salman has dominated July because Eid mostly falls in the month of July . Sultan should easily do 116 CR and can also beat Kick unless something goes horribly wrong . Beating BB will be extremely difficult but 250 is possible . Hrithik has the chance to do 200 on Non Holiday and with a clash . It will beat Bodyguard easily but beating ETT and CE will not be easy but this is not impossible . Dabangg will remain undefeated in the month of September . Rangoon, MS Dhoni and BBD can surprise but 140 is a huge target . Shivaay has the ability to beat HNY and ADHM can do 100+ . K3 will be no.1 in the Nov as Rock On 2, Kahaani 2, Force 2 and Tum Bin 2 don’t have a huge chance at the Box Office . Aamir has clearly dominated Dec like no other . Dangal should easily beat 3 Idiots but D3 and PK are the realistic targets . Beating PK will not be easy even for Aamir . So 2016 looks an exciting year ahead with movies like TE3N, Madaari, Udta Punjab, Mohenjo Daro, Rustom, MS Dhoni, Rangoon, Mirzya, Shivaay, Rock On 2, Force 2, Kahaani 2 and Dangal . !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!