Most-popular Diwali releases of Bollywood

Come festivals and Bollywood filmmakers gear up to open their biggest aces in form of their much-awaited releases.

Over the years we have seen the trend of year’s biggest movies opening during the festive season.

While Salman Khan’s movies rule Eid, Shah Rukh Khan has established a copy right of sorts over the Diwali period.

As King Khan gets set with his latest Diwali Dhamaka, Happy New Year, let’s take a look at biggest Diwali releases in recent years…

Krrish 3 (2013)

Last year it wasn’t SRK but Hrithik Roshan who made the best of the festive bonanza by releasing his super-hero flick Krrish 3 during the revelry.

Being the only film releasing during the period, it did a brisk business and made its way into the coveted 100 crore club.

The film starred Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Vivek Oberoi in the lead roles.

According to Hrithik Roshan Krrish 3 had done a business of about INR2.44 billion (US$40 million) in India and around INR550 million (US$8.9 million)

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Krrish 3

Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)

Bollywood’s Pasha of Romance, Yash Chopra released his magnum opus, Jab Tak Hai Jaan in 2012.

The film starring Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma made news for reasons more than one.

Apart from being Chopra’s last directorial venture, it also turned out to be his last movie as the legendary director passed away during the making of the film.

It also created controversy as it clashed with the release of Ajay Devgn’s Son of Sardaar.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan got mixed response but managed to cross the 100 crore mark.

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Jab Tak Hai Jaan

Ra.One (2011)

The second highest grossing Diwali release of all time Ra.One was lapped up by audiences despite a weak plot.

The film became a huge hit as it appealed kids for its special effects.

However, due to negative word of mouth, Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena starrer, Ra.One couldn’t hold the fort for very long at the Box Office.

It did a business of Rs.115 crores.

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Ra.One

Golmaal 3 (2010)

It was Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor starrer Golmaal 3 Vs Ashay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai starrer Action Replayy in the year 2010.

Director Rohit Shetty wanted the last installment of Golmaal series to be bigger than the previous too.

And he succeeded in doing that, thereby washing off Action Replayy totally. Golmaal 3 did a business of Rs.103 crores.

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Golmaal Returns

Golmaal Returns (2008)

It won’t be wrong to say that this was Ajay Devgn’s big mark at the Box Office.

Doing a brisk business of Rs.52 crores, the film was lapped up by audiences despite getting negative reviews from the critics.

Golmaal Returns established Rohit Shetty’s franchise.

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Golmaal Returns

Om Shanti On (2007)

2007’s Diwali gave Bollywood two hot patakhas in Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor.

Both the ladies’ debut ventures released on Diwali.

However, Om Shanti Om, which starred Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role emerged as the movie of the year leaving Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor’s Saanwariya way behind.

Om Shanti Om made Rs.80 crores at the Box Office.

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Om Shanti Om

Don (2006)

Don was the debut of Shah Rukh Khan as a business man.

With this film, the actor ventured into newer avenues of marketing and promotion of films.

To promote Don, he set up a 360 degree promotional campaign, which included Paid Preview screenings, which never existed before that.

The extensive promotional strategy worked and the film turned out to be the biggest diwali release till then making Rs.51 crores at the Box Office.

Veer Zaara (2004)

It was a rain of movies on Diwali in 2004 with Veer-Zaara, Aitraaz, Naach and Mughal-E-Azam releasing on the auspicious day.

While Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra starrer Aitraaz did a decent business, it was SRK and Preity Zinta starrer Veer Zaara that took all the accolades and awards for the year.

The movie minted Rs.40 crore at the Box Office which was a huge number 10 years back.