 |
|
Salman Khan, a name synonymous with Bollywood's commercial success, is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, 'Sikandar,' directed by A.R. Murugadoss. The film is slated to hit theaters a day before Eid al-Fitr, adding to the actor's long history of Eid releases. 'Sikandar,' produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, boasts a star-studded cast including Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyaraj, Sharman Joshi, and Prateik Babbar, further fueling anticipation. Trade analysts and movie buffs predict that 'Sikandar' will be another blockbuster addition to Khan's filmography, continuing his reign as a box office draw. Given this upcoming release, this article provides a comprehensive overview of Salman Khan's top 10 highest-grossing films released during Eid, offering fans a chance to reminisce about his past successes and potentially binge-watch some of his most beloved performances. These films not only represent Khan's star power but also illustrate the evolution of Bollywood cinema over the past decade, reflecting changing tastes and trends in the Indian film industry. The tradition of releasing films during Eid has become a strategic move for Bollywood producers, capitalizing on the festive atmosphere and increased audience engagement. Salman Khan has consistently leveraged this strategy, solidifying his position as the 'Bhaijaan' of Bollywood and consistently delivering films that resonate with a wide audience base. Each film mentioned in this list contributes to the overall narrative of Salman Khan's career, highlighting his versatility as an actor, his commercial acumen, and his ability to connect with audiences across different demographics. As we delve into the details of each film, it becomes evident that Salman Khan's Eid releases are not merely films; they are cultural events that bring families together and generate immense excitement within the Indian diaspora. Moreover, the success of these films underscores the importance of timing and strategic planning in the film industry, demonstrating how a well-placed release can significantly impact a film's overall performance. The examination of these films also provides insights into the collaborative nature of filmmaking, showcasing the contributions of various directors, co-stars, and production teams who have played a crucial role in shaping Salman Khan's on-screen persona and delivering memorable cinematic experiences. From action-packed thrillers to heartwarming dramas, Salman Khan's Eid releases have consistently offered a diverse range of narratives, catering to a wide spectrum of audience preferences and solidifying his legacy as one of Bollywood's most bankable stars.
First on the list is 'Dabangg,' released in 2010, which marked the beginning of Salman Khan's successful streak of Eid releases. This action-comedy, directed by Abhinav Kashyap, introduced audiences to the iconic character of Chulbul Pandey, a lovable but corrupt police officer. 'Dabangg' was a massive critical and commercial success, earning approximately Rs 141.25 crore domestically, according to Sacnilk. The film not only solidified Salman Khan's status as a box office draw but also launched the career of Sonakshi Sinha, who made her Bollywood debut with this film. 'Dabangg' resonated with audiences due to its blend of action, comedy, and catchy music, becoming a cultural phenomenon that spawned multiple sequels. The character of Chulbul Pandey became a household name, and the film's dialogues and songs became ingrained in popular culture. 'Dabangg' also set a new benchmark for action sequences in Bollywood, showcasing innovative stunt work and choreography that captivated audiences. The success of 'Dabangg' demonstrated the importance of creating memorable characters and delivering engaging narratives that connect with the masses. This film not only established Salman Khan as a leading action star but also paved the way for future Eid releases that would further cement his position in the industry. The film's impact on Bollywood cinema is undeniable, influencing subsequent action-comedy films and inspiring a new generation of filmmakers. 'Dabangg' remains a beloved film for many, representing a pivotal moment in Salman Khan's career and a significant contribution to Indian cinema.
Following the success of 'Dabangg,' Salman Khan continued his Eid domination with 'Bodyguard' in 2011. This action-romance film, directed by Siddique, starred Salman Khan opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan and was a remake of the Malayalam film of the same name. 'Bodyguard' garnered significant attention for its blend of action, comedy, and romance, earning approximately Rs 148.52 crore across India, according to Sacnilk. The film's success was attributed to Salman Khan's charismatic performance, the chemistry between him and Kareena Kapoor Khan, and its engaging storyline. 'Bodyguard' resonated with audiences due to its depiction of love, loyalty, and sacrifice, themes that have consistently appealed to Indian audiences. The film's action sequences were also well-received, adding to its overall entertainment value. 'Bodyguard' further solidified Salman Khan's position as a leading romantic hero, demonstrating his ability to portray both action-oriented and emotionally resonant characters. The film's success also highlighted the growing trend of remaking South Indian films in Bollywood, a trend that has continued to shape the Indian film industry. 'Bodyguard' remains a popular film among Salman Khan fans, showcasing his versatility as an actor and his ability to deliver commercially successful films across different genres.
In 2012, Salman Khan starred in 'Ek Tha Tiger' alongside Katrina Kaif, a spy thriller directed by Kabir Khan. This film marked a significant departure from his previous Eid releases, showcasing a more serious and action-oriented narrative. 'Ek Tha Tiger' was a massive success, earning approximately Rs 198.78 crore at the box office. The film's success was driven by its intriguing storyline, its high-octane action sequences, and the on-screen chemistry between Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. 'Ek Tha Tiger' resonated with audiences due to its themes of patriotism, espionage, and forbidden love. The film's depiction of Indian and Pakistani secret agents falling in love challenged traditional notions of nationalism and resonated with audiences who were seeking more complex and nuanced narratives. 'Ek Tha Tiger' also established Salman Khan as a leading action star capable of delivering both commercially successful and critically acclaimed performances. The film's success paved the way for a sequel, 'Tiger Zinda Hai,' which further expanded the 'Tiger' universe and solidified Salman Khan's status as a leading action hero. 'Ek Tha Tiger' remains a landmark film in Salman Khan's career, demonstrating his ability to adapt to different genres and deliver compelling performances.
In 2014, Salman Khan returned to the action-comedy genre with 'Kick,' starring opposite Jacqueline Fernandez. This film, directed by Sajid Nadiadwala, was a remake of the Telugu film of the same name and earned a whopping Rs 231.85 crore at the box office. The film's success can be attributed to Salman Khan's charismatic performance, its high-octane action sequences, and its catchy music. 'Kick' resonated with audiences due to its themes of adventure, adrenaline, and rebellion. The film's depiction of a thrill-seeking protagonist who defies authority resonated with audiences who were seeking escapism and entertainment. 'Kick' also showcased Salman Khan's ability to portray both action-oriented and comedic characters, solidifying his position as a leading entertainer. The film's success further demonstrated the growing trend of remaking South Indian films in Bollywood, a trend that has continued to shape the Indian film industry. 'Kick' remains a popular film among Salman Khan fans, showcasing his versatility as an actor and his ability to deliver commercially successful films across different genres.
However, arguably one of the most beloved films in Salman Khan's career is 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan,' released in 2015. Directed by Kabir Khan, this heartwarming drama garnered immense critical acclaim and commercial success, earning approximately Rs 432.50 crore domestically, according to Sacnilk. 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' tells the story of a devout Hindu man who embarks on a journey to reunite a mute Pakistani girl with her family. The film's success was driven by its emotional storyline, its strong performances, and its message of peace and harmony between India and Pakistan. 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' resonated with audiences due to its themes of humanity, compassion, and cross-border friendship. The film's depiction of a Hindu man going to great lengths to help a Muslim girl challenged traditional notions of religious and national identity and resonated with audiences who were seeking more inclusive and tolerant narratives. 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' also established Salman Khan as a leading actor capable of delivering both commercially successful and critically acclaimed performances. The film's success paved the way for more socially conscious films in Bollywood, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers to explore themes of unity, diversity, and understanding. 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' remains a landmark film in Salman Khan's career, demonstrating his ability to connect with audiences on an emotional level and deliver meaningful cinematic experiences.
Continuing his Eid releases, Salman Khan starred in 'Sultan' in 2016, a sports-romance film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. This film, co-starring Anushka Sharma, showcased Salman Khan as a wrestler and earned a whopping Rs 623.33 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk. The film's success was driven by its compelling storyline, its strong performances, and its message of perseverance and self-discovery. 'Sultan' resonated with audiences due to its themes of love, ambition, and redemption. The film's depiction of a wrestler overcoming personal and professional challenges resonated with audiences who were seeking inspiration and motivation. 'Sultan' also showcased Salman Khan's physical transformation and his commitment to his role, further solidifying his position as a dedicated and versatile actor. The film's success demonstrated the growing popularity of sports films in Bollywood, a trend that has continued to shape the Indian film industry. 'Sultan' remains a popular film among Salman Khan fans, showcasing his versatility as an actor and his ability to deliver commercially successful films across different genres.
In 2017, Salman Khan collaborated with Kabir Khan once again for 'Tubelight,' a historical war drama set against the backdrop of the 1962 Sino-Indian War. While the film received mixed reviews, it still managed to earn approximately Rs 119.26 crore at the box office. 'Tubelight' told the story of a simple-minded man who embarks on a journey to find his missing brother during the war. The film's success can be attributed to Salman Khan's star power and its themes of brotherhood, hope, and innocence. 'Tubelight' resonated with audiences due to its emotional storyline and its message of peace and understanding. While the film did not achieve the same level of success as some of Salman Khan's other Eid releases, it still demonstrated his willingness to experiment with different genres and themes. 'Tubelight' remains a notable film in Salman Khan's career, showcasing his versatility as an actor and his ability to tackle challenging roles.
In 2018, Salman Khan starred in 'Race 3,' an action-crime film directed by Remo D'Souza. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the film earned approximately Rs 300 crore worldwide. 'Race 3' featured an ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Jacqueline Fernandez, Daisy Shah, Saqib Saleem, and Freddy Daruwala. The film's success can be attributed to Salman Khan's star power and its high-octane action sequences. 'Race 3' resonated with audiences who were seeking escapism and entertainment, despite its convoluted storyline and over-the-top action. The film's success demonstrated the enduring appeal of Salman Khan as a leading action star, even in films that are not critically acclaimed. 'Race 3' remains a controversial film in Salman Khan's career, but it also serves as a reminder of his ability to draw audiences to the theaters regardless of critical reception.
In 2019, Salman Khan reunited with Katrina Kaif for 'Bharat,' a period drama directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. This film depicted India's post-independence journey and earned approximately Rs 212.03 crore, according to Sacnilk. 'Bharat' told the story of a man who makes a promise to his father to keep his family together and faces numerous challenges throughout his life. The film's success was driven by Salman Khan's star power, its emotional storyline, and its depiction of Indian history. 'Bharat' resonated with audiences due to its themes of family, patriotism, and resilience. The film's depiction of India's post-independence struggles and triumphs resonated with audiences who were seeking a sense of national pride. 'Bharat' also showcased Salman Khan's ability to portray both action-oriented and emotionally resonant characters, further solidifying his position as a leading actor in Bollywood.
Finally, in 2023, Salman Khan released 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan,' a multi-starrer action comedy film. While the film was labeled a flop by some, it still managed to achieve commercial success, collecting Rs 184.6 crore at the box office. 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan' featured an ensemble cast and told the story of a man who protects his girlfriend's family from a gang of villains. The film's success can be attributed to Salman Khan's star power and its blend of action, comedy, and romance. 'Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan' resonated with audiences who were seeking lighthearted entertainment and a classic Bollywood masala film. While the film did not achieve the same level of success as some of Salman Khan's other Eid releases, it still demonstrated his ability to draw audiences to the theaters and deliver commercially viable films. In conclusion, Salman Khan's Eid releases have consistently delivered box office success, solidifying his position as one of Bollywood's most bankable stars. From action-packed thrillers to heartwarming dramas, his Eid releases have offered a diverse range of narratives, catering to a wide spectrum of audience preferences and solidifying his legacy as a leading entertainer. With the upcoming release of 'Sikandar,' fans are eagerly anticipating another blockbuster addition to Salman Khan's filmography, continuing his reign as the 'Bhaijaan' of Bollywood.
Source: Salman Khan’s Top 10 Highest Eid Box Office Collection Movies To Watch Ahead Of Sikandar Release