When Karan Johar, one of Bollywood’s most influential producers, declared in a press junket that Eid is owned by Salman Khan and that he would never release a film during that time of the year to avoid any clash, he put his money where his mouth is. Johar wasn’t exaggerating Khan’s might at the box office. The proof lies in the stupendous openings that the actor receives when he rolls out films during the Eid holidays.
As he continues with the tradition of releasing films over Eid — this year it’s Tubelight, directed by Kabir Khan — Gulf News tabloid! takes a look at some of his biggest hits during this festive period and the revenue it generated over the years. Khan’s brand of cinema — a heady mocktail of drama, songs and action — may not appeal to the cerebral elite or the anglophiles, but these whopping figures indicate that his films appeal to the largest common denominator — his millions of fans worldwide.
His films are critic-proof and no amount of negative press (the actor is yet to apologise for trivialising rape or his myriad run-ins with the Indian legal system for hunting endangered species of wild animals and a 2009 hit-and-run accident) doesn’t dent his clout at the box office.
In 2009, Khan almost made it to the coveted Rs1 billion (Dh56.93 million) box office club with the action drama Wanted. Since then, he hasn’t looked back. Barring Eid 2013 in which Shah Rukh Khan released his hit comedy Chennai Express, Khan has enjoyed a monopoly on the Eid releases in the last 11 years and has taken it upon himself to entertain movie-mad Indians with his brand of cinema. Some may call it senseless and lousy pieces of art, but his power cannot be denied.
Khan, in a recent interview with Gulf News tabloid!, even spoke about how he would never sit through a serious film, especially if it turned didactic. Plus he’s unapologetic about being partial to roles that showcase him as an all-conquering hero with a pristine heart.
“Even in a Dabangg, we didn’t want to go all preachy. We wanted to keep it emotional with a proper screenplay in our hands … My theory is if I do not watch myself on the big screen in a serious movie, why would my fans come and watch me?” said Khan, in an interview in Dubai while promoting his latest film Tubelight. In Dabangg, he played a corrupt cop, who robbed to help the poor. Call him a modern day Robin Hood or the ultimate on-screen saviour who can sing, dance and polish off villains, his choice of films have only made him rich — one syrupy role at a time. Don’t believe us, check out the mind-boggling numbers below, sourced from the trade website boxofficeindia.com and production houses such as the Yash Raj Films.
Film: Wanted (2009)
How much it made worldwide: Rs932.4 million
Film: Dabangg (2010)
How much it made worldwide: Rs2.19 billion
Film: Bodyguard (2011)
How much it made worldwide: approx Rs2.34 billion
Film: Ek Tha Tiger (2012)
How much it made worldwide: approx Rs3.083 billion (Includes $6 million in the GCC)
Film: Kick (2014)
How much it made worldwide: approx: Rs3.518 billion
Film: Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)
How much it made worldwide: Rs3.4 billion (Includes $11 million in the GCC)
Film: Sultan (2016)
How much it made worldwide: Rs5.9 billion (Includes $8.5 million in the GCC).
