The Hindi film industry “Bollywood” is the world’s largest film production center. The first feature film (silent black-and-white) produced in India was the “Raja Harishchandra” produced by Dadasaheb Phalke in 1913. With the passage of time, the industry expanded and the number of films produced.
From the 1960s, the industry achieved major commercial success more regularly, and the revenue earned multiplied manifold; The 1975 film ‘Sholay’ earned triple the amount that the previous record-holder 1960s Mughal-e-Azam earned, while Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) more than quadrupled Sholay’s record. Post the “dark phase” of the 1980s, business increased tremendously as is visible from the major success of films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.
Initially, the success of a film was determined by box office longevity than revenue. However, due to increasing competition from television and the threat of piracy, and later the advent of alternative media, longevity of films decreased drastically and revenue became the focus of success.
Below is a list of top ten highest grossing worldwide Bollywood movies of all time. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (released in 1994) was the first Bollywood film to cross INR 1 billion (US$15 million) worldwide.
1. PK (Peekay)
Budget 85 c, Gross: 626* c, India: 470 c, Overseas: 156 c
PK is all set to create history by entering the 300 crore club by the end of its 3rd Sunday run. PK, so far, has collected 326 crores nett at the Domestic Box Office, which takes its Gross total to 470c. And on the overseas front, the movie has earned 156 c gross, that takes its Worldwide gross business to 626 crores at the Box Office. The film stars Aamir Khan in the title role, with Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput, Boman Irani, Saurabh Shukla, and Sanjay Dutt in supporting roles.
The film opened in 22 international markets during its opening weekend and grossed $28.7 million placing at #3 at the worldwide box office behind The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies and Gone with the Bullets. In North America, the film set an opening weekend record with $3.75 million (previously held by Dhoom 3) placing at #10 at the box office.
2. Dhoom 3: Back in Action
Budget 1.5 billion (US$23 million) Gross- 542c, India: 372c, Overseas: 170c
Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif starrer Dhoom 3 is breaking all records in India and overseas. Dhoom 3 became the highest grossing Bollywood film in India and around the world by collecting over 533 cr (US$85 million) worldwide in just two weeks. The film beat the INR3.95 billion (US$60 million) record set by Chennai Express according to Box Office India.
3. Chennai Express
Budget- 75c, Gross- 422c, India: 301c, Overseas: 121c
Chennai Express is a 2013 Indian romantic action-comedy film directed by Rohit Shetty and produced by Gauri Khan under the banner Red Chillies Entertainment. The film stars Shahrukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in lead roles. The film currently the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2013. The film broke the record held by 3 Idiots (2009) in the domestic market and was declared a Blockbuster in India by Box Office India. It is also the third highest-grossing Bollywood film in overseas markets. Chennai Express went on to become the highest-grossing Bollywood film worldwide, surpassing 3 Idiots. With worldwide gross INR 422 crore (US$65 million).
4. 3 Idiots
Budget- 35 crores, Gross- 395c, India: 269c, Overseas: 126c
Since the year 2013, the film was at top the list of highest grossing worldwide Bollywood movies. The recard was first breaked by Chennai Express than Dhoom 3 and than PK. Now 3 Idiots is at number 4 in the list with worldwide gross INR 395 crore (US$60 million). It is a 2009 Indian comedy-drama film directed by Rajkumar Hirani, with a screenplay by Abhijat Joshi, and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. 3 Idiots stars Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Omi Vaidya, Parikshit Sahni and Boman Irani.
5. Kick
Budget- 100 crores, Gross- 390 c, India: 322*c, Overseas: 68c
Salman Khan’s Kick movie has been highly awaited film in this year. The movie has been collected awesome performance at the domestic and oversea box office in his 1st week and 2nd weekend journey. According to Koimoi, Kick has made a total of Rs 390 crores so far which includes over Rs 68 crores of overseas collections and over Rs 322 crores of domestic collections. It will now be lagging behind just three films – Dhoom 3, Chennai Express and 3 Idiots.
6. Happy New Year
Budget- INR 1.50 billion, Gross- 383*c, India: 293c, Overseas: 90c
Directed by Farah Khan and produced by Gauri Khan, Happy New Year had a bumper opening on day one setting new record by collecting around INR450 million (US$7.3 million) nett, making it the first Bollywood film to reach the figure for a single day. The film released on Diwali, 24 October 2014, in three different languages: Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The film starer Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood, Boman Irani, Vivaan Shah and Jackie Shroff. HNY became the 5th Highest grossing worldwide Bollywood movies and collected around INR 383 crore.
7. Krrish 3
Budget-115c, Gross: 374c, India: 320c, Overseas: 54c
Superhero science fiction film Krrish 3 became the 7th highest grossing worldwide bollywood movie with worldwide gross INR 374 crore. The film which released in 2013, is produced and directed by Rakesh Roshan. It is the third film in the Krrish series following Koi… Mil Gaya (2003) and Krrish (2006). The film stars Hrithik Roshan, Vivek Oberoi, Priyanka Chopra, and Kangna Ranaut in the lead roles.
Superhero science fiction film Krrish 3 became the 7th highest grossing worldwide bollywood movie with worldwide gross INR 374 crore. The film which released in 2013, is produced and directed by Rakesh Roshan. It is the third film in the Krrish series following Koi… Mil Gaya (2003) and Krrish (2006). The film stars Hrithik Roshan, Vivek Oberoi, Priyanka Chopra, and Kangna Ranaut in the lead roles.
8. Bang Bang!
Budget-145c, Gross: 341c, India: 181.03c, Overseas: 79c
The 2014 Bollywood action thriller film “Bang Bang!” became the 8th highest grossing Bollywood film. It’s directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Fox Star Studios. The film is an official remake of the Hollywood film Knight and Day and features Hrithik Roshan andKatrina Kaif in the lead roles performed by Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz respectively in the original.
9. Ek Tha Tiger
Budget- 75c, Gross- 320c, India: 263c, Overseas: 57c
Ek Tha Tiger is 9th amongst Highest grossing Bollywood movies and collected around INR320 crore (US$47 million) worldwide. It’s a romantic action thriller film, directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films. It stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles and Ranvir Shorey, Girish Karnad, Roshan Seth and Gavie Chahal in supporting roles.
10. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Budget- 50c, Gross- 311c, India: 253c, Overseas: 58c
The 10th highest grossing Bollywood film worldwide at the end of the year 2013. The film collected INR 311 crore worldwide. It’s a 2013 Indian coming-of-age romantic comedy film, directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced by Karan Johar. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in lead roles. The most important secret behind the huge success of YJHD is that the Bollywood legend Madhuri Dixit appears in an item number titled “Ghagra” .(Watch Ghagra).
11. Dabangg 2
Budget- 60c, Gross- 265c, India: 211c, Overseas: 54c.
The 11th biggest Worldwide grosser in the history of Hindi film industry. Dabangg 2 is a 2012 Bollywood action comedy directed and produced by Arbaaz Khan. It’s a sequel to the 2010 film Dabangg. The story is set in the city of Kanpur. The film features Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha reprising their roles from the previous film.
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