If you are of the impression that blockbusters are a recent fad, then you are hugely mistaken. They have been part of the film business since as early as 1943 when Kismet grossed big time at the Box Office. Since then many movies became hits, super hits and blockbusters. Through this article let us take a trip down the memory lane to know about five fascinating Box Office grosser of all time.
Image [clockwise from top left]: Kismet, Sholay, 3 Idiots, Barsaat, Mother India - Biggest Box Office Movies of India | FilmiTadka.
This movie started many trends. Apart from being Indian cinema’s first biggest grosser, it also gave the industry its first big superstar Ashok Kumar. It was also the first movie without a villainous character. Also, it was the movie that started the anti-hero fad in the industry as Ashok Kumar played the role of a con, thief and marauder in it. That’s not all as the movie had Ashok Kumar in twin roles. It pioneered the most successful Judwa trend in Hindi filmdom. With so many firsts in its kitty, Kismet couldn’t have failed at the silver screen. It earned Rs. 1 Crore in those times and ran for three years unabated at some theatres.
Barsaat’s release made Kismet take a back seat in the blockbuster department after reining it for six years consecutively. This Raj Kapoor – Nargis presentation was emphatic and inspirational. It was Kapoor’s first directorial hit and also the film that helped the actor – director start RK Studios. The famous pose where he holds Nargis in one hand and a violin in other became not only the emblem of the studios but also an iconic pose. It netted nearly Rs. 1.1 Crores!
There was nothing usual about Mother India. It was a strong female centric movie and reeked of sacrifices by a mother for her children. But such was the depth in the story and conviction in Nargis’s portrayal that the film went on to become the highest grosser ever by netting a terrific Rs. 4 Crores! It was India’s first entry in the Best Foreign Film category for the Oscars.
Will you believe it when we say that Sholay was tagged a flop upon release? Yes, you read right! Initially it couldn’t do much but strong word of mouth triggered such rush of people to the theatres that it landed it in the list of all time blockbusters of Bollywood. Every scene, moment, dialogue of this film is of iconic significance. Even the characters are still mimicked by many artistes. So, it wasn’t surprising to see it register a whopping Rs. 15 Crores!
Though there were many films that did big business before 3 Idiots came into being, but its record collections surpasses every other film in the history of Bollywood. It is yet to be toppled by anyone in the industry today. The youth-centric theme of the film worked wonders for it and helped it earn Rs. 200 Cr (Rs. 352 Crores in total)! This is also Aamir Khan’s biggest movie ever.
