6 Blockbusters, 3 Superhits, 14 Hits and 7 Flops: Here's how Bollywood has fared on Diwali at the box office over the years

The festive season has seen its fair share of blockbusters that not only impressed the audiences but also set the cash registers ringing.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is also one of the most significant periods for Bollywood, often marked by high-profile releases and intense box office clashes. Over the years, the Diwali weekend has witnessed a mix of triumphs and disasters, with some films emerging as massive blockbusters while others faced dismal fates. Here’s a detailed look at how Bollywood has fared during this festive season.

The Blockbusters
The festive season has seen its fair share of blockbusters that not only impressed the audiences but also set the cash registers ringing. Starting with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), this Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol-Rani Mukerji starrer redefined romance and became an instant classic. Following this, Salman Khan-starrer Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999), a family drama directed by Sooraj Barjatya, also struck gold at the box office.

The new millennium began on a high note with Mohabbatein (2000), a musical drama featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan in pivotal roles, clashing with Hrithik Roshan’s Mission Kashmir (2000), which also turned out to be a blockbuster. Yash Chopra's Veer-Zaara (2004), another Shah Rukh Khan film, celebrated love across borders and became a huge hit. The latest to join this league is Golmaal 3 (2010), a comic caper directed by Rohit Shetty, which provided a perfect blend of laughter and entertainment for the festive season.

The Superhits
Among the superhits, Shah Rukh Khan's Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997), a romantic musical directed by Yash Chopra, topped the charts with its engaging storyline and melodious songs. Another notable mention is Om Shanti Om (2007), which saw Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in a reincarnation drama that mesmerised audiences. More recently, Golmaal Again (2017) continued the successful run of the Golmaal franchise with its slapstick humour and ensemble cast.

The Hits
Diwali has also been a launchpad for several hits. Aitraaz (2004), a legal thriller starring Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, and Priyanka Chopra, managed to hold its ground against SRK's Veer-Zaara. Akshay Kumar continued his winning streak with Garam Masala (2005) and the stylish remake Don: The Chase Begins (2006) featuring Shah Rukh Khan.

In 2012, SRK's Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Ajay Devgn's Son of Sardar released on the same day and both films managed to perform well, despite their clash. Krrish 3 (2013), a superhero film starring Hrithik Roshan, captured the imagination of audiences. The multi-starrer Happy New Year (2014), another Shah Rukh Khan film, was a commercial success.

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015), a traditional family drama starring Salman Khan, resonated well with the festive sentiment. The ensemble comedy Housefull 4 (2019) and Akshay Kumar's action-packed Sooryavanshi (2021) also found favour with the Diwali crowd. The latest hit, Tiger 3 (2023), continued Salman Khan's successful run at the box office.

The big-budget film Thugs of Hindostan (2018) starring Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan was a major disappointment, and more recently, Ram Setu (2022) and Thank God (2022) couldn't capitalise on the festive season and ended up as flops.

Diwali remains a crucial period for Bollywood, often setting the tone for year-end box office performances. While some films have turned into memorable blockbusters, others have faded into obscurity. The festival of lights continues to be a time when Bollywood brings out its biggest guns, hoping to dazzle the audience and create cinematic history.

Come November 1, we will see two mega films Ajay Devgn's multi-starrer Singham Again and Kartik Aaryan's Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 clashing at the box office. While the buzz for both the films is strong, we will have to wait and watch what kind of dhamaka these films make at the box office.