Top 5 Actors 2012: Box Office Report Card

(By Archit Mishra)

In our country, actors are not just stars but they are literally worshipped by their fans. With 2012 coming to an end, it’s time to review which superstar reigned supreme at the ticket window and who remained comparatively dormant. This discussion / comparison also becomes more interesting as the year gone by is amongst those rare times when all the superstars arrived with full force simultaneously.

NOTE: This write up takes into account only the box office performance of superstars in 2012.

Top Actors of 2012

Top Actors of 2012

1. Salman Khan: The superhero of bollywood “SAL-Man” remains way ahead of the rest this year as well. He continued his winning streak in 2012 and completed his fifth successive blockbuster. While Tiger Khan’s Eid-Independence Day release Ek Tha Tiger (BLOCKBUSTER) arose as the Biggest Holiday Opener and went on to collect 186 cr (official figure 199 crore), Chulbul Pandey’s Dabangg 2 (BLOCKBUSTER) just before Christmas turned out to be Biggest non-holiday opener and is expected to end with Rs 150 crores. Now collections of Khan’s films are not just seen as a record but benchmark by trade pundits and his Ek Tha Tiger went closest to the 3 Idiots mammoth tally of 202cr in the recent past. Salman Khan has unquestionably reached the peak in his 23 year long career and 2012 consolidated his top position at box office a notch further.

2. Akshay Kumar: “AKSHUN Kumar” is back with a bang. Khiladi Bhaiyaa relived the splendid success of 2007 again in 2012 and became the first actor ever to have crossed the 400cr landmark within the same year. While Housefull 2 (SUPER HIT) became his ticket to the 100cr elite club by netting 113 cr, Rowdy Rathore (BLOCKBUSTER) gave Akki the biggest hit of his career. Rowdy Rathore emerged as the Biggest Non-Holiday Opener (No points for guessing, Dabangg 2 broke this record later in the year) and closed its lifetime collections at 132 cr. The remarkable OMG! Oh My God (SUPER HIT) with over 82 cr business was the cherry on the cake as it managed to win accolades with classes and hearts of the masses at the same time for Akki. The best part for Akshay Kumar was the terrific word of mouth and universal acceptance by the audience that all the above mentioned films garnered without any holiday weekends, something which has become very rare in today’s scenario of multiplex culture and big openings. Khiladi 786 (AVERAGE) couldn’t transform into a super explosive cracker at the ticket window, but it wasn’t a completely fizzle either with decent collections of Rs 63 crore. The only let down this year for Akshay was Joker (DISASTER) which was a complete washout at box office and could not even cross 22 crore.

3. Hrithik Roshan: At No.3 is the sexiest Asian man in the world. After successfully trying his hand with something as niche as Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Hrithik came back with a hardcore action affair, Agneepath (SUPER HIT), in 2012. Though Hrithik came very close to 100cr with ZNMD last year, it was Agneepath which marked his entry into the elite by managing over 120 cr collections. The film’s strong opening on Republic Day once again substantiated this superstar’s reach amongst the mass audience. His portrayal of the central character Vijay was applauded by one and all.

4. Ranbir Kapoor: The “ROCKSTAR Kapoor” is running a one horse race as far as competition between next gen stars is concerned and in 2012 he demonstrated this yet again. Masala films being the flavor of the season, any superstar will think twice before signing a film as niche as Barfi! (SUPER HIT). Ranbir not only did the film, he lived the central character of Barfi to perfection. He has taken a big leap at the box office since his last release Rockstar which was SEMI HIT in 2011. Barfi netted 106 cr (official figure 120 crore) at the domestic box office and made RK cross the threshold of 100 cr for the first time in his career.

5. Shahrukh Khan: 2012 will also be remembered for another special reason. Subsequent to attempts in sci-fi (Ra-One) and action thriller (Don 2), the ‘global superstar’ returned to doing what he does best, Romance. Jab Tak Hai Jaan (HIT) was a legendary combination of SRK-Yash Chopra-A R Rehman-Gulzar but Shahrukh was always the trump card. Although the film was a clear cut winner at the box office, just edging past 101cr (official figure 120 crore), its collections were adversely hit by the epic Diwali clash with Son of Sardar thereby resulting in a loss of atleast 15-20% business. Had this clash been averted, Shahrukh would have easily managed a position in the Top 3.

The two actors who follow at 6th and 7th spots are Ajay Devgn [Bol Bachchan-100cr (HIT) / Son of Sardar-88cr (HIT) / Tezz-15cr (DISASTER)] and Aamir Khan [Talaash-90cr (SEMI HIT)].

2012 vs 2011: Comparative Analysis

In this section we will evaluate the change in ranks in 2012 of top superstars as compared to 2011. Please note that this is not a parameter to judge starpower between different actors but an indication of an actor’s competition with himself in two different calendar years.

Before we begin our analysis, let us recall the Top Actor Ranks of 2011:

  • 1. Salman Khan (Bodyguard-141 cr/Ready-121cr)
  • 2. Shahrukh Khan (Ra 1-115cr / Don2-105cr)
  • 3. Hrithik Roshan (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara – 90cr)
  • 4. Ajay Devgn (Singham – 99cr / Rascals – 32cr / Dil to Bachcha Hai Ji – 30cr)
  • 5. Ranbir Kapoor (Rockstar – 70cr)
  • 6. Akshay Kumar (Desi Boyz – 47cr / Thank You – 46cr / Patiala House – 33cr)
  • 7. Aamir Khan – No release.

Top Actor Rank 2012

Actors2011 - Box Office RANK2012 - Box Office RANKGain/Loss in Rank
Akshay Kumar6th2nd+4
Ranbir Kapoor5th4th+1
Salman Khan1st1stNo Change
Hrithik Roshan3rd3rdNo Change
Ajay Devgn4th6th-2
Shahrukh Khan2nd5th-3
Aamir KhanNo release7thNew Entrant

In the table shown above, we’ve captured ranks in 2011 and 2012 with Change in Ranks (Gain / Loss). While Akshay has shown the best performance change as he moved up 4 places from rank 6 to rank 2, Salman and Hrithik have firmly held their 1st and 3rd spots respectively, there by resulting in no change in their ranks. Contrary to Ranbir moving up by 1 rank, Shahrukh and Ajay have slipped down by 3 and 2 spots respectively. Aamir is a new entrant as he had no release last year.

Please share your comments/feedback about this article. Stay tuned to this space for other interesting reports about 2012 box office.

Article by Archit Mishra (follow him on twitter @architmishra_06)

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200 Comments

  • Archit, I’ve always been a big fan of your articles and read all of them. Most were well-researched and detailed.

    But you have made a big blunder here.

    If Akshay is placed at No 2, then Ajay Devgn has to be ahead of Shahrukh Khan. Both Bol Bachchan and Son Of Sardar were clean hits. Tezz was a disaster.

    For Akshay, only Rowdy Rathore and Housefull 2 were his solo hits.. You can’t credit Akshay for OMG. Joker was a one of the biggest disasters of 2012.

    IMO.. You have only included SRK in Top 5 to please SRK fans. BOI released a list yesterday and their ranking was 1. Salman 2. Akshay 3. Ranbir 4. Hrithik 5. Ajay

  • @NVS: ahahah yes another remake!!! I mean doesn’t he have the guts to try something new for once in awhile, or to do the roles outside the action genre. I mean what is he afraid of?

  • The approx figures from the national multiplex chains for the first week in 2012 are as follows. Ek Tha Tiger was in front by a distance..

    1. Ek Tha Tiger – 53 crore (9 Days)

    2. Dabangg 2 – 37.75 crore

    3. Jab Tak Hai Jaan – 33.25 crore (10 Days)

    4. Agneepath – 33 crore (8 Days)

    5. Talaash – 30.75 crore

    6. Barfi! – 29 crore

    7. Son Of Sardaar – 26.75 crore (10 Days)

    8. Cocktail – 26.25 crore

    9. Rowdy Rathore – 25.50 crore

    10. Housefull 2 – 25.25 crore

    11. Bol Bachchan – 24.75 crore

    12. Student Of The Year – 20.50 crore

    13. Raaz 3 – 17.75 crore

    14. Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu – 17 crore

    15. Agent Vinod – 16.75 crore

    16. Khiladi 786 – 14.75 crore

    17. OMG! Oh My God – 14.50 crore

    18. Kahaani – 12 .75 crore

    19. Heroine – 12.75 crore

    20. Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum – 12.75 crore

  • ” GLOBAL” STAR “GLOBAL” REMAKES:

    1. Baadshah = Nick Of Time, The Mask, Rush Hour, Mr. Nice Guy
    2. Bazigar(Sharukh Khan)=A kiss before dying(1991; starring Sean Young).
    3. chak de india = mighty ducks, miracle on ice(1981).
    4. mohabbatein – absolution, Dead Poets Society 1989.
    5. MAIN HOON NA = NEVER BEEN KISSED* , Toy Soldiers (1991 film), Hidin.
    g Out (1987), fight back to school(1991) Main ho na fighting sequence from scorpion versus johnny(cage).
    6. CHALTE CHALTE = FORGET PARIS*, fools rush in(1997).
    7. KING UNCLE = ANNIE.
    8. KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI = SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, grease(1st half clg stuf) & sleepless in SEATTLE (2nd half).
    9. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna = Closer, Divorce American Style (1967), Brief Encounter (1945),
    10. Chamatkar 1992 = Blackbeard’s Ghost 1968.
    11. dil to pagal hai = annie hall(1997), 42nd Street (film)…See More

  • Haha Srk in top 5 Haha in boi he is out of top 5 Haha Srk fans thanks to indi cine to includin Srk in top 5 Haha

  • @little_pet_Kabir: exactly, he look like a joker when he does different roles. So why embarrass yourself, just play it safe by stealing some good scripts from south.ahahah

  • The qualities of a star are huge fan following,his performance on box office ,his varsatility,talent,and some extra factors like gud look,body………in this way the list should be 1sallu 2hrithik 3amir 4srk 5akki/ranvir..

  • people who are saying salman will not sustain his position well we will see that in the year end…………….you guyz keep dreaming like before….

  • The Baap of Box Office Coming at November 1st..
    Each and Every Records are gonna be shatter..
    The Superhero “Hrithik Roshan with Krrish 3″…After that Bang Bang in 2014..Hrithikmania starts from November 1st..
    Krrish 3 and Bang Bang rockss..

  • List will come and go but who’s movie is Indias all time biggest hit?? Aamir that 2 which he gave in 2009 ..2013 – Dhoom 3 ..2014 Peekay! Total the collections of these 3 and u will get 1000 crore at box office mark my words!

  • @ruler and g.one. Indians will rather watch some good successful entertaining remakes than some crap boring originals (example is jthj, perhaps the only recent movie of SRK which was not copied or plagiarised unlike his earlier movies, his unofficial remake count is 35 movies as of now.) salman is doing official remakes (buy buying the movie rights) and “SUPERSTAR-ing” them into BBs whereas srk despite unofficially copying from the hollywood movies is struggling just for a superhit. And who is stopping srk from doing south remakes, if he is brave enough then let him do any south remake and make it a bb. Remember that A GOOD MOVIE WILL ALWAYS BE A GOOD MOVIE, whether if it is from bollywood, hollywood, tollywood or kolly wood. And dont forget that srk’s official remakes havent be successful at all like devdas,don or billu and this trend will continue in future as well. As long as movies are good no one will have any problem in remakes, be it a south remake or north remake or the WEST REMAKE.

  • Salman’s power will be tested next year when his movies will clash with others becoz next year all festival release r blocked

  • NVS Srk isn’t like ur salman with no standard,he is just degrading bollywood n taking 20 years,just coping films,n ur the only one who is saying srk is coping,if he had copied then y no one knows that except u

  • I have been hearing this since last three years that this time SRK will show his power or Hrithik will come on top or Akshay will beat him. But to my knowledge he has beaten them all Left Right Center, so better don’t be too optimistic guys this time around as well.

  • jitender haha u dnt worry abt salman u better think abt srk he is struglin to cross 100cr only with festival release haha

  • @NVS: well said, this is what they call a completely biased statement of that of a typical fanboy. I am sure many users here will disagree with you.

  • @NVS..i am agree with u that our salman is doing well by taking the help of south remakes, but he shud also work on some fresh scripts, bcoz he has potentials to do good scripts.He shud now try the barjatya’s family drama.

  • SUPERBLY Written..I am 100% agree with the writer..My TOP 5 list is also same..

    Best thing about this article is that Indicine has not just given list but complete analysis : like — : salman’s record break, akki’s word of mouth, hrithik’s mass appeal, ranbir’s niche films & srk’s dominance in JTHJ….

  • dabangg was no south remake …even srk has done his fare share of south indian remakes…like dil se, billu …but all flopped lol

  • site has tried to include srk whereas at boi he is sharing space with aamir khan …well done writer….but do anything salman is at number 1!

  • @kabir: what are you a little slow on intake? And talk in english, this is an english website not hindi, my head starts spinning whenever I read your comments in hindi.

  • Jealousy is a virtue which ruins yourself first, so be ware SRK fans. He is finding it very tough to hold his place in the industry. Not able to go past a mediocre success of Salman Khan – Ready. Just see his face and any body can tell what he is going through in his life…………..may god bless him.

  • 2012 vs 2011 ANALYSIS is the best for me..We can check that who has progreessed & who’s cum down..

    Good job Archit :)

  • @NVS..i am sorry dude.HSSH was not ATBB, but these two movies established salman in the industry.Before them, salman was not so famous.

  • @Aki : again u r mistaking.Salman was nothing before HAHK and HSSH.wat a joke man.Wat abt sanam bewafa,jeet,karan arjun etc.These are not salman movies.Go and check ur IQ u idiot.

  • @NVS..ye aki poori tarah pagal ho chuka hai aur apne aap ko salman fan batata hai, par muje lagta hai ye rajpal yadav ka fan hai.Ba s ta r d..

  • Who copied my id.Talk logically.U know i didn’t make any abusive comments.So, don’t talk abusive using my id.
    and aki.get a life dude.u r so confused with urself.

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