(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.
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
Actors | 2011 - Box Office RANK | 2012 - Box Office RANK | Gain/Loss in Rank |
---|---|---|---|
Akshay Kumar | 6th | 2nd | +4 |
Ranbir Kapoor | 5th | 4th | +1 |
Salman Khan | 1st | 1st | No Change |
Hrithik Roshan | 3rd | 3rd | No Change |
Ajay Devgn | 4th | 6th | -2 |
Shahrukh Khan | 2nd | 5th | -3 |
Aamir Khan | No release | 7th | New 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)
I think ajay should in top3 after salman their is no compete with ajay.
akshay kumar shahrukh khan two great living legends
my best actor akashay kumar number 1
I dnt lyk bllywd movies
Its gonna b hrithik at n.o 1 in 2013 its common sence he did it b4 and will do it again! Hrithik btowns most perfect superstar! Hrithik rocks now and for ever!!!
Aamir khan(mr.perfectionist) is king khan….
srk is the king……
Shah Rukh Khan: Success ratio 62.5%
Failures: Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (flop), Josh (above average), One 2 Ka 4 (flop), Asoka (flop), Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (above average), Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke, and Paheli (flop).
Salman Khan: Success ratio is 30%
Failures: Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (above average), Chal Mere Bhai (average), Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega (flop), Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (flop), Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (flop), Tumko Na Bhool Payenge (flop), Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (above average), Yeh Hai Jalwa (flop), Tere Naam (above average), Garv: Pride And Honour (below average), Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa (flop), Lucky: No Time for Love (below average), Main Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (semi hit), Kyon Ki (flop), Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar (flop), Jaan-E-Mann (flop), Marigold (flop), God Tussi Great Ho (flop), Yuvraaj (flop), London Dreams (flop), and Veer (below average).
Hrithik Roshan: Success Ratio is 38.8%
Failures: Fiza (flop), Mission Kashmir (semi hit), Yaadein (flop), Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage (flop), Na Tum Jaano Na Hum (flop), Mujhse Dosti Katroge (flop), Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (flop), Lakshya (below average), Jodhaa Akbar (semi hit), Kites (flop), and Guzaarish (flop).
Akshay Kumar: Success Ratio is 23.5%
Failures: Hera Pheri (average), Dhadkan (average), Khiladi 420 (flop), Ek Rishtaa (below average), Ajnabee (average), Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya (flop), Aankhen (average), Awara Paagal Deewana (above average), Talaash (flop), Khakee (average), Police Force: An Inside Story (flop), Aan (flop), Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin (flop), Hatya: The Murder (flop), Aitraaz (average), Ab Tumhare Hawale Waton Saathiyon (flop), Insan (flop), Bewafaa (below average), Waqt (above average), Garam Masala (semi hit), Deewana Huye Paagal (flop), Dosti: Friends Forever (below average), Mere Jeevan Saathi (flop), Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (flop), Jaan-E-Mann (flop), Tashan (below average), Chandni Chowk to China (flop), 8 X 10 Tasveer (flop), Kambakkht Ishq (above average), Blue (below average), De Dana Dan (above average), Khatta Meetha (below average), Action Replayy (flop), Tees Maar Khan (semi hit), Patiala House (below average), Thank You (average), Desi Boyz (below average), Joker (flop), and Khiladi 786 (average).
Aamir Khan – Success ratio is 54.5%.
Failures: Mela (flop), Dil Chahta Hai (only did ‘average’ business at the time), Mangal Pandey (below average), Dhobi Ghat (semi hit) and Talaash (semi hit). Total failures: 5.
salman khan will be kicked out from top 5 if he will do “KICK”
people will send him to mental hospital if he will do”mental”
and he will do remembering god radhey after doing”radhey”
I m from nepal…..n my besttttttttttttt one is srk undoubtly …………his 2013 would be rocking with chennai express…………………chennai express=220 crores…….which will last upto 2020…because ticket of films will raise higher…..
Srk will rule bollywood dis year.INSHALLAH
All we know and everybody know that the only king of bollywood is SHAHRUKH KHAN only SHAHRUKH KHA……In 2013 SRK roars with his Express..SO SRK is no.1 always
sallu rocksss………………….. <3 <3 <3
love u forever
sabka baap hrithik roshan is all rounder dance,action,accting, singin upcoming k3, bang bang , suddhi , paani blockbuster
Akshay kumar the baap of all actors. His films are crossed in 2000 CAROR
salman bhai 1 no hero he or rahege
All Time Blockbuster hero the salman bhai
jai ho lll
salman khan is best he no 1 and he always be no 1
I like akshay
Salman bhaijan is the best…
Boss of bollywood and king of bollywood
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