"hats off to audiences who got that figure."
Bollywood actor, Akshay Kumar has left behind the days when achieving Rs 500 crore (£54,015,945) was celebrated, rather he has paved way for the Rs 700 crore (£75,610,290) club.
In 2019, Akshay entertained audiences worldwide with four back-to-back films; Kesari (2019), Mission Mangal (2019), Housefull 4 (2019) and Good Newwz (2019).
His choice of films saw him begin a new era in Bollywood as he garnered over Rs 700 crore (£75,610,290) at the box office.
Akshay created history for the Indian entertainment industry and it is expected this will have a ripple effect, with high expectations for 2020.
According to IANS, Trade analyst, Taran Adarsh, has highlighted that Akshay Kumar’s strategy is behind his groundbreaking success. He explained:
“The volume of business is increasing. Now, actors have to focus on content as well as box office performance.
“The content has to be good because if the content is appreciated by the audience then box office numbers also follow.
“Akshay did four films last year, and all from different genres and touching different topics.”
There is no doubt that matching Akshay’s success rate will prove difficult for some actors, but it is not unachievable. Adarsh added:
“It is important for actors to experiment as well. They should try to give (the) audience something new every time.
“If you give something new to the audience which is also commercial, then it will get appreciated and get numbers well.”
Bollywood Hungama revealed the box office figures that several Bollywood stars accumulated in 2019:
- Akshay Kumar – Rs 735.42 crore (£79,425,801.25).
- Hrithik Roshan (for Super 30 and War) – Rs 464.85 crore (£50,204,078.91).
- Riteish Deshmukh (for Total Dhamaal, Housefull 4 and Marjaavaan) – Rs 396 crore (£42,768,223.34).
- Tiger Shroff (for Student of the Year 2 and War) – Rs 387.020 crore (£41,798,378,28).
- Salman Khan (for Bharat and Dabangg 3) – Rs 356 crore (£38,445,792.80).
- Ayushmann Khurrana (for Article 15, Dream Girl and Bala) – Rs 324.520 crore (£35,044,911.55).
Trade expert, Rajesh Thadani told IANS of how Akshay Kumar’s film choices led him to rank in such a high figure at the box office. He said:
“Akshay comes out with four films in a year, that is why he can reach a new target.
“It is difficult for one individual with one release in a year to get that figure. He played smart by picking up different subjects.
“The choice of scripts was good. If we see War (2019) and Dabangg 3 (2019) individually did good.
“But Akshay comes with more films so he can get to that figure. Also, hats off to audiences who got that figure.
“The others can do if they do more films, with one film it is tough.
“They will have to rework their strategy, probably to reach that figure.”
The highest achievers at the box office continuously keep changing.
In 2015, Salman Khan established the Rs 500 crore (£54,015,945) club with hit films Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015).
This was followed by Ranveer Singh in 2018 who earned Rs 500 crore (£54,015,945) with films such as Padmaavat (2018) and Simmba (2018).
Adarsh further added: “The number game keeps on changing. There will be consistency when stars give something different.”
Trade expert, Vinod Minari, also went on to discuss how it is important for the audience to connect with the films. He said:
“There has to be acceptance as well because overexposure can backfire. Akshay picks (the) right projects, which are entertainers.”
Despite Akshay Kumar setting high boundaries for 2020, Adarsh believes this box office figure can be surpassed. He said:
“We can do better. But again, one needs to focus on (the) box office along with content. If you make (an) art-house movie, then you cannot expect to garner numbers.
“Our audience needs entertainment and that’s why you need to add entertainment into it.”
The year 2020 promises an array of Bollywood films for audiences to enjoy.
The year has already begun with films like Deepika Padukone’s Chhapaak (2020) and Ajay Devgn’s Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020).
Films like 83 (2020), Baaghi 3 (2020), Angrezi Medium (2020), Chehre (2020), Radhe (2020), Coolie No. 1 (2020), Laxmmi Bomb (2020) and many more are in the pipeline.
Indian cinema will be portraying a diverse range of stories in 2020, which are expected to garner high box office figures, especially as star films compete in the year.
We wait to see whether the year 2020 will continue with Akshay Kumar’s Rs 700 crore (£75,610,290) club.
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