The Bollywood films that did amazing business.
The year is turning out to be a great year for Bollywood.
Seldom has one seen so many successes in such a short span -- there are as many as four blockbusters in just six months!
And that's besides the other hits and superhits, which have contributed to Rs 1,500 crore in the first half of 2018.
Joginder Tuteja looks at the top 10 Bollywood money-spinners in this half yearly box office report card.
Padmaavat
Box office collections: Rs 302 crore
Verdict: Blockbuster
Padmaavat is one of the most controversial films to have emerged out of Bollywood.
The problems started while the film was still being shot, when a fire broke out on the sets.
It was followed by protests, even as director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was roughed up.
The release got postponed, but when the film finally opened in January, the response was good.
It sustained at the box office, and went on to enter the Rs 300 crore club.
- The Rediff Reviews: Savera R Someshwar and Sreehari Nair
Sanju
Box office collections: Rs 200 crore+ (expected)
Verdict: Superhit
Sanju has taken the biggest opening of the year, and in Ranbir's career.
He deserves it as his performance is brilliant.
Producers Raju Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Fox Star Studios will laugh all the way to the bank.
Race 3
Box office collections: Rs 175 crore (expected)
Verdict: Above average
After the first three days allowed the film to enter the Rs 100 crore club, Race 3 has been on a rapid decline.
If not for the Eid release, the action genre and, of course, Salman Khan, this film would have collected even lesser money.
Baaghi 2
Box office collections: Rs 166 crore
Verdict: Blockbuster
Tiger Shroff has emerged as a major star after Baaghi 2.
The film appealed to the masses and classes.
Raazi
Box office collections: Rs 124 crore
Verdict: Blockbuster
Who would have expected a spy drama thriller with Alia Bhatt as the only notable face in it to have audiences rooting for it?
Director Meghna Gulzar delivered an entertainer that struck a chord with everyone who watched it.
- The Rediff reviews: Sukanya Verma and Sreehari Nair
Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety
Box office collections: Rs 109 crore
Verdict: Blockbuster
From the winning team of director Luv Ranjan and actor Kartik Aaryan, one expected a fun affair yet again with Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety.
The team delivered something bigger and better.
The film carried a strong family appeal, and that allowed it to go beyond the expected target audience base of just the youth and found its way amongst children as well as the elderly.
Raid
Box office collections: Rs 103.07 crore
Verdict: Hit
One expects a Rs 100 crore movie from Ajay Devgn every time.
Raid was a serious subject and not as much in a commercial zone as his films usually are.
Pegged at a lifetime score of Rs 80 to Rs 90 crore, Rajkumar Gupta's film did better as audiences warmed up to it.
Veere Di Wedding
Box office collections: Rs 83 crore
Verdict: Superhit
Veere Di Wedding almost doubled the business of what one would have expected from it.
How many out there would have expected an all-women film with cuss words and an 'A' certificate to find an audience, not just on its opening day but also in the long run?
PadMan
Box office collections: Rs 81.82 crore
Verdict: Above average
Akshay Kumar has been delivering back-to-back Rs 100 crore movies, so one expected PadMan to follow suit.
Perhaps its taboo subject didn't bring in the audience -- especially in small towns. Still, it emerged a success.
- The Rediff Reviews: Sukanya Verma and Sreehari Nair
Parmanu: The Pokhran Story
Box office collections: Rs 65 crore
Verdict:Semi-hit
A surprise success, Parmanu was 100 crore movie material if one goes by the content.
But troubled with legal battles as well as an almost six month delay, the John Abraham starrer only had about 10 days for its promotion and marketing.
Audiences saw a quality film and word of mouth ensured a victory lap for it.
- Half-Yearly Report: THE BIG FLOPS
