Bajirao Mastani and Dilwale closed out their third weekend in theaters, finalizing the North American box office rankings for Bollywood films released in 2015. From January 1-3, 2016, Bajirao Mastani earned $772,775 from 304 theaters ($2,542 average). During the same period, Dilwale earned $308,149 from 133 theaters ($2,317 average).
The ten highest earning Bollywood films of 2015 in North America were:
- Bajrangi Bhaijaan: $8,114,714
- Bajirao Mastani: $5,832,266 (to date)
- Dilwale: $4,696,841 (to date)
- Prem Ratan Dhan Payo: $4,420,019
- Dil Dhadakne Do: $3,062,095
- Tanu Weds Manu Returns: $3,022,611
- Tamasha: $2,243,582
- Piku: $2,220,648
- Welcome Back: $1,379,668
- Singh Is Bliing: $909,399
Bajrangi Bhaijaan had the best opening weekend in 2015, both in terms of total gross ($2,613,192) and per-screen average ($9,468). Bajirao Mastani has already proven to have the best longevity of any 2015 release, having nearly quadrupled its opening weekend total in just three weeks.
2015 set a new benchmark for blockbuster releases, with both Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo opening in more than 300 theaters in North America (304 and 310, respectively). Though PK (296) and Bang Bang (292) came close in 2014, it’s worth noting how rapid this increase in theater counts has been. The widest release in 2013 was Dhoom 3 on 239 screens, and 2012’s biggest release, Talaash, opened in just 172 theaters. More people than ever before can watch Bollywood films on the big screen in the United States and Canada.
It’s also worth noting that all of the films in the 2015 top ten were released between May and December. Shahrukh Khan’s Fan — scheduled for release on April 15 — should easily make it into the 2016 top ten, but it remains to be seen if any of the other Bollywood flicks opening in the first third of the year will prove to be breakout hits. Do any of the films on this list seem like contenders to you?
Sources: Box Office Mojo and Rentrak, via Bollywood Hungama
The only ones that could leave a mark among Jan-April releases, are Wazir, Airlift and Kapoor and Sons. But I don’t know if any of these would figure in a top ten list at year end.
You hit on all the likely ones, Amin, though I’m not confident in any of them either. Akshay Kumar is so hit or miss, so even Airlift isn’t a sure thing. All four of his releases in 2015 finished in the top twenty, but only Singh Is Bliing made the top ten.
Top Five In India
1. Bajrangi Bhaijaan – Rs316cr
2. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo – Rs187cr
3. Bajirao Mastani – Rs177cr (expected)
4. Tanu Weds Manu Returns – Rs151cr
5. Dilwale – Rs143cr (expected)
1 cr = 10 million
Thanks for the info, Ehinome!