Post-COVID, the Indian film industry didn’t just bounce back; it skyrocketed. Audiences returned to theaters eager to experience the magic of cinema on the big screen once again.
Here’s a look at the films that not only brought people back to theaters but also set new benchmarks for success in Indian cinema. These films are the blockbusters that took the Box Office with a swing.
KGF 2
When KGF 2 hit theaters, it wasn’t just a movie it was a phenomenon. Directed by Prashanth Neel, Yash plays his career-defining role of Rocky in this action sequel, starting exactly where the first had ended. With an explosive storyline married to even more gigantic action sequences and the story of one man’s rise from the streets to the throne, KGF 2 turned out to be the most-watched film post-pandemic. April 2022 release, it has been reigning at the top of box office charts, having clocked a record 5.25 crore in footfalls in India and a worldwide gross of ₹1,225 crore.
RRR
Well, S.S. Rajamouli’s RRR was nothing but an out-and-out cinematic MAGIC. This epic drama is set in the 1920s, envisioning a fabricated tale of two Indian revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju, essayed by Ram Charan, and Komaram Bheem, essayed by Jr. NTR. With breathtaking action, depth of emotion, and complemented by stellar performances, RRR just left audiences in awe. With a March 2022 release, the film totaled 4.5 crore in footfalls alone in India, going on to amass a jaw-dropping ₹1,380 crore worldwide. It not only bagged awards in the international platform but also ruled the box office.
Pathaan
Pathaan was another major comeback for the King of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan. The Siddharth Anand-directed spy thriller had all the ingredients for a box office entertainer, a rugged and suave SRK in unbelievable action sequences, ravishing locations, and a plot that bit by bit held on to the audience’s interest. SRK as Pathaan, an Indian intelligence agent tasked with foiling a major terror threat. In January 2023, Pathan drew 3.30 crore footfalls to theatres in India and grossed a cool ₹1,050 crore worldwide. King Khan not only ruled people’s hearts but also the box office, his fans are crazy over this blockbuster all over the world.
Gadar 2
For many, Sunny Deol returned as Tara Singh in Gadar 2, which really turned out to be a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Directed by Anil Sharma, the movie is a sequel to a 2001 blockbuster that narrates the story of Tara Singh and his family as new challenges reach out to confront them in post-partition India. Gadar 2 was released in August 2023, and connected big time with the audiences at heartland pockets, netting 3.30 crore footfalls in India with a worldwide business of ₹670 crore gross.
Jawan
By Atlee, Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan was not a film; it was a movement. This high-octane action thriller cast SRK in a dual role that had fans hooting. Here is a vigilante with a mysterious past who takes on the corrupt system with style and swag. Released in September 2023, Jawan became a box office sensation in no time and drew 3.92 crore footfalls in India, and grossing ₹1,164 crore worldwide.
Animal
Animal is a kind of film that received both love and criticism hand in hand, this is a film that almost reinvents the genre of Indian drama. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and played by the Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor, showing the dark and gritty world of crime and powerplay within families. Animal in December 2023 has floored audiences, hitting their emotional strings through the hard-hitting storyline with a collection of 3.20 crore footfalls in India, while worldwide it had earnings of ₹920 crore.
#Kalki2898AD
Venturing into the realm of science fiction, #Kalki2898AD brought something entirely new to Indian cinema. Directed by Nag Ashwin and featuring an ensemble cast including Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Amitabh Bachchan, the film explores a dystopian future where a messiah figure rises to restore balance. Released in July 2023, #Kalki2898AD garnered 3.45 crore footfalls in India and grossed ₹945 crore globally, proving that Indian audiences are more than ready for futuristic storytelling.
From sweeping period dramas to futuristic sci-fi, these more than ever prove just how varied and vibrant Indian cinema really is. Full of films that bring something special to the table be it stunning action, great storylines, or just the star wattage of Bollywood’s biggest names a fact becomes clear: Indian cinema is back and bigger than ever. With audiences thriving in the theatres and the records in box office collections tumbling, magic on the screen is truly riding high! Here’s to many more movies that would charm, inspire, and remind us just how much we love that silver screen!
