Bollywood's 10 BIGGEST CHRISTMAS HITS

Is Christmas a good time to release big films?

This Christmas, David Dhawan hopes to tickle our funny bone with his big release Coolie No 1, starring his son Varun opposite Sara Ali Khan.

For now, the film is arriving on Amazon Prime Video, though talks are on for a theatrical release as well.

Is Christmas a good time to release big films?

Joginder Tuteja looks back at the Christmas releases through the years.

 

Dangal (2016)
Box office collection: Rs 387.38 crore

Dangal is not just the biggest Christmas blockbuster ever, it is also the biggest Bollywood grosser of all time.

Aamir Khan's sports film got rave reviews, as he took a step back to let the spotlight fall on the Phogat sisters -- played by Zaira Wasim and Suhani Bhatnagar, as children, and Fatima Sana Sheikh and Sanya Malhotra, as adults.

 

PK (2014)
Box office collection: Rs 340.8 crore

Christmas has been a hot favourite for Aamir Khan to release his films.

PK, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, set the record for Bollywood's highest grosser ever when it released in 2014.

The film had an unusual story and packed in a message, told in an entertaining way.

Co-starring Anushka Sharma and Sushant Singh Rajput, PK got great reviews too.

 

Tiger Zinda Hai (2017)
Box office collection: Rs 339.25 crore

Kabir Khan's Tiger Zinda Hai opened huge and went on to hit a triple century despite mixed reviews.

The sequel to Ek Tha Tiger, this one was directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, with the original cast, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.

 

Dhoom: 3 (2013)
Box office collection: Rs 284 crore

Another Yash Raj film that went on to do quite well on Christmas was Dhoom: 3, starring Aamir Khan in a double role.

Katrina Kaif never looked as gorgeous as she did here, showing off some serious dance moves.

It found some detractors, but still went miles ahead of Dhoom and Dhoom: 2.

Dabangg 2 (2012)
Box office collection: Rs 156.50 crore

Arbaaz Khan directed the second installment of the Dabangg franchise and delivered big with this masala entertainer.

The reviews weren't good, but it still paved the way for a third installment.

Audiences really liked the Salman-Sonakshi jodi.

 

Simmba (2018)
Box office collection: Rs 240.31 crore

Director Rohit Shetty had suffered a disappointing time at the box office when his 2015 Christmas release Dilwale didn't do well.

Three years down the line, he tasted success when Simmba, with Ranveer Singh, went on to be a major blockbuster.

Other than the action packed entertainer that it was, the film also boasted of the hit remix Aankh Maare.

 

Good Newwz (2019)
Box office collection: Rs 205.14 crore

Akshay Kumar enjoyed a hit Christmas film Good Newwz last year.

The family entertainer was a happy affair and just the kind that one would like to witness in a festive season.

A feel good affair with Kareena Kapoor Khan, Diljit Dosanjh and Kiara Advani in key roles, Good Newwz ended up scoring a double century.

 

3 Idiots (2009)
Box office collection: Rs 202.50 crore

Every time Aamir Khan has had a Christmas release, he has broken records.

Before PK and Dangal, he had the spectacular 3 Idiots.

Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film also starred Kareena Kapoor, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi and everyone performed brilliantly.

 

Bajirao Mastani (2015)
Box office collection: Rs 188 crore

The trio of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone came together with Bajirao Mastani and clashed with Shah Rukh Khan's Dilwale at the box office.

While the historical started relatively slower, it eventually surpassed the Rs 148 crore lifetime collection of Dilwale and ended up coming very close to the double century mark.

 

Ghajini (2008)
Box office collection: Rs 114 crore

Ghajini was the film that started it all and that's probably why Aamir Khan decided to release his movies during Christmas.

That was the time when the term '100 Crore Club' was unheard of.

The industry rejoiced when Ghajini went on to score the first-ever century at the box office.

 

Don 2 (2011)
Box office collection: Rs 107 crore

Shah Rukh Khan boasts of a successful Christmas release to his name with Don 2.

A sequel to Don, this one more than doubled its business and emerged as a major success.

Arriving soon after the Diwali release Ra.One. Shah Rukh Khan enjoyed a double bonanza with Don 2 in 2011.