It's time to give credit where it's due. Post pandemic, there are two Bollywood films which have opened huge - Brahmastra and Sooryavanshi. What's truly remarkable is that both films have Karan Johar as the producer with his Dharma Productions backing them. Though both the films have other multiple partners also involved, Brahmastra in particular had Karan backing up Ayan Mukherji and his vision to the fullest for one full decade, and the results are there to be seen with the film turning out to be the biggest ever for Dharma and with a massive margin.
Last year when theatres finally opened post pandemic, it was Sooryavanshi which brought people into theatres. A Diwali release with Akshay Kumar as the leading man and Rohit Shetty as the director, the film went on to not just open exceedingly well (despite restrictions in place) but also came close to the 200 crores mark in its lifetime. Now in 2023 when it seemed that Bollywood was totally down and out with the theatrical business being at an all time low, Karan Johar and his Dharma Productions has been savior again with Brahmastra setting on a record spree.
Meanwhile, Karan's dream project Agneepath stays on to be in the Top-3 list despite the fact that it has been more than 10 years since the film's release. On the other hand the next best is Kalank and ironically that was a flop (and so was Shaandaar which is in the Top-10 too). Apart from these films, it has been an array of hits scored by the filmmaker with his own directorial Ae Dil Hai Mushkil also finding a place in the list.
Here is the list of Top-10 openers for Dharma Productions:
Brahmastra – Rs. 37 crores
Sooryavanshi – Rs. 26.29 crores
Agneepath – Rs. 23 crores
Kalank – Rs. 21.60 crores
Kesari – Rs. 21.06 crores
Simmba – Rs. 20.72 crores
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani – Rs. 19.45 crores
Good Newwz – Rs. 17.56 crores
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil – Rs. 13.30 crores
Shaandaar – Rs. 13.10 crores
Rest assured, when his Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani will release next year, it would be in the Top-3 at least, if not at the top spot.
Note: All collections as per production and distribution sources
