So what if the critics didn't like Housefull 3? The janta has its own opinion and the Akshay Kumar starrer has seen a bountiful weekend.
For an actor who releases an average of three to four films every year, here are some of the top opening numbers he has consistently managed to get.
Singh Is Bliing -- Rs 54.44 crore (holiday release)
Released on October 2, 2105, Singh Is Bliing is Akshay's biggest opener ever.
The film -- his fourth release of the year (after Baby, Gabbar Is Back and Brothers) -- brought in high numbers, making it clear that the audience loves him.
Box Office Collection: Rs 89.5 crores
Read the movie review here - Raja Sen / Sukanya Verma
Housefull 3 -- Rs 53.31 crore
In the recent past, Akshay has been doing a flurry of dramatic/action films.
With Housefull 3, which released last week, he has returned to one of his favourite genres, comedy. Even though critics have come down heavily on the film, the audience has lapped it up, ensuring it emerges on the list of the best openings that Akshay Kumar's films have seen.
Read Sukanya Verma's review here
Brothers -- Rs 52.08 crore
The film, released on August 13, 2015, took a good opening and saw good escalation over the weekend. This was Akshay Kumar's first film to go past the Rs 50 crore mark over the weekend.
Though the collections did slide in days to follow, from the opening perspective the film did quite well. Sidharth Malhotra was an added attraction in this Karan Johar production.
Box Office Collection: Rs 85 crores
Read the review here - Raja Sen / Sukanya Verma
Rowdy Rathore -- Rs 48 crore
A quintessential masala film, Rowdy Rathore (June 1, 2012) was a South remake that Akshay's fans lapped up with glee.
It opened well and sustained itself in the days that followed to do superhit business.
Box Office Collection: Rs 133 crores
Airlift -- Rs 44.3 crore
A hugely appreciated film, Airlift (January 22, 2016) opened on a decent note and escalated rapidly in the days to follow.
It comfortably went past the Rs 40 crore mark over the weekend and then held on superbly well, emerging as the second biggest grosser ever for its lead actor.
Box Office Collection: Rs 129 crores
Read the review here - Raja Sen / Sukanya Verma
Housefull 2 -- Rs 43.2 crore
This was the film impressed the box office. Housefull 2 (April 5, 2012) was appreciated by the audiences in a big way and went on to score the biggest ever weekend for Akshay Kumar at that time.
The film also marked his entry into the Rs 100 crore club.
Box Office Collection: Rs 116 crores
Holiday -- Rs 40.49 crore
Though it received a lot of love and respect, Holiday (June 6, 2014) didn't get a great opening. However, thanks to the critical acclaim and the audience response, it went from strength to strength over the coming days.
To begin with, it surpassed the Rs 40 crore mark over the weekend. Post that, it hung on quite well with the audience ensuring it went past the Rs 100 crore mark.
Box Office Collection: Rs 113 crores
Gabbar Is Back -- Rs 40 crore
This was another South remake for Akshay Kumar, though it was different from the usual masala fare churned out by the dozens.
Akshay, who played a vigilante, was seen in a brand new look. Gabbar Is Back (May 1, 2015) opened well and then grew further to enjoy a Rs 40 crore weekend.
Though it fell short of the Rs 100 crore mark, it managed to earn a 'semi-hit' status for itself.
Box Office Collection: Rs 87.5 crores
Tees Maar Khan -- Rs 38.25 crore
Tees Maar Khan (December 24, 2010) was not just the highest opener ever for Akshay Kumar but also one of the best in history. It had tremendous hype going for it before its release and audience came in dzones to give it a dekko.
Katrina Kaif's Sheila ki jawaani turned out to be a major crowd puller but, once the euphoria settled, the film couldn't sustain itself. Overall, an average affair.
Box Office Collection: Rs 68 crores
Read the review here - Sukanya Verma / Aseem Chabbra
Entertainment -- Rs 36.69 crore
Before Housefull 3, Akshay Kumar had given a break to director duo Sajid-Farhad with Entertainment (August 7, 2014). The film registered a good opening, though the rise in collections wasn't massive.
It saw a mixed response from critics as well as the audience, and eventually settled down as average fare.
Box Office Collection: Rs 72 crores
Read Sukanya Verma's review here
Note: All collections as per production and distributor sources.
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