As the festive season of Diwali 2024 approaches, Bollywood is preparing for an electrifying clash at the box office, with two high-profile releases set to captivate audiences. Rohit Shetty’s “Singham Again” and Anees Bazmee’s “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” are both slated for release during the festival, each carrying the weight of a successful franchise and a legion of fans. This year’s lineup is a reminder of Bollywood’s longstanding tradition of scheduling major film releases during Diwali, a period synonymous with entertainment and family gatherings.
The prospect of a box-office battle echoes many such Diwali confrontations over the years. The festival has always held a special place in Bollywood’s calendar, with filmmakers keen to lure audiences with stories that are fun, engaging, and perfect for a family audience. The stakes are high as “Singham Again” and “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” follow in the footsteps of previous hits.
Looking back, Diwali 2012 was marked by the release of two massive films, Shah Rukh Khan’s “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” and Ajay Devgn’s “Son Of Sardaar”. The former, being Yash Chopra’s final directorial venture, was met with positive reviews and became a box office superhit with a collection of Rs. 120.65 crores. Despite the clash with Chopra’s film, “Son Of Sardaar” also performed impressively, grossing Rs. 105.03 crores, showcasing the potential that the Diwali festive window holds for movie releases.
In 2013, “Krrish 3,” starring Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra, stole the show. As a part of India’s first superhero franchise, the film gathered significant momentum and raked in a staggering Rs. 240 crores, reflecting the power of franchise films during the Diwali period.
Fast forward to 2014, and “Happy New Year,” led by an ensemble cast including Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, emerged as the major Diwali attraction. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film’s promotional blitz and star power helped it secure Rs. 203 crores at the box office.
2015 introduced audiences to “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo,” which reunited Salman Khan with director Sooraj Barjatya. This quintessential family entertainer brought nostalgia and new-generation appeal together, fetching Rs. 207.4 crores.
The following year, 2016, saw Ajay Devgn’s “Shivaay” face stiff competition, underscoring the unpredictable nature of festival releases. Despite being anticipated, it pulled in an underwhelming Rs. 100.
.35 crores. On the flip side, Karan Johar’s romantic drama “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, enjoyed a successful run with Rs. 112.5 crores.
2017 witnessed another significant success with “Golmaal Again,” a horror-comedy directed by Rohit Shetty. This film continued the Golmaal series’ track record of success, collecting Rs. 205.72 crores amid stiff competition from the inspirational drama “Secret Superstar,” which earned Rs. 62 crores.
A highlight of 2019 was the release of “Housefull 4,” a comedy that played to packed theaters and amassed Rs. 206 crores. The franchise comedy brought back many familiar faces, ensuring its status as a holiday hit.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges to the 2021 Diwali slate, but Rohit Shetty’s “Sooryavanshi” starring Akshay Kumar still managed to draw audiences under stringent safety guidelines, collecting Rs. 195.04 crores despite the hurdles.
Diwali 2022 saw a slightly less successful run with releases like “Ram Setu” and “Thank God.” Although they aimed to deliver festive cheer, both films fell short of expectations, fetching Rs. 90 crores and Rs. 98 crores respectively.
The year 2023 was poised for success with “Tiger 3,” a film in a beloved spy franchise. However, even with a notable cameo by Shah Rukh Khan as Pathaan, and a strong opening day collection of Rs 44.50 crores, the film couldn’t maintain its momentum to become an all-time hit, concluding with Rs 285 crores.
As Diwali 2024 looms, the anticipation surrounding “Singham Again” and “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” is building to a fever pitch. The question remains: will these new entrants recapture the magic of past Diwali releases, creating a spectacular success story that lights up the box office like the festival lights up the night sky? Only time will tell. Nevertheless, excitement is guaranteed, as Bollywood once again offers audiences the cinematic allure of Diwali.
