As Dangal’s phenomenal, all-conquering run at the box office draws to a close, now is a good time to take stock of – and marvel at – the spectacular numbers and records achieved by what is now the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time.
Obviously, in the course of achieving such huge cumulative numbers,
the film has shattered most circuit records too and is now the highest
grosser in most territories, including: Delhi-UP (Rs.80.2 crore), East
Punjab (Rs.44.45 crore), CP (Rs.19.30 crore), CI (Rs.14.2 crore),
Rajasthan (Rs.20.5 crore), Nizam (Rs.21.05 crore), Mysore (Rs.27.6
crore) and TNK (Rs.13.55 crore).
Zooming in a little further, Dangal
now tops the All-Time collections charts for most cities too. Some of
the major ones being: Mumbai City & Suburbs (`40 crore), Delhi
(Rs.32 crore), Jaipur (Rs.8.85 crore), Indore (Rs.6.6 crore), Lucknow
(Rs.4.7 crore), Kanpur (Rs.3.75 crore), Ghaziabad (Rs.8.5 crore) and
Agra (Rs.2.25 crore).
The record-breaking (and making) spree doesn’t end there! Dangal
is the first film to collect over `100 crore (gross) from a single
multiplex chain, a feat it achieved at PVR Cinemas. Further, it is also
the first film to collect at least Rs.1 crore (net) daily and
uniterrupted for 31 days following its release, bettering the record
previously shared by PK and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, both of which topped the Rs.1-crore mark daily for the first 26 days of their theatrical run.
The numbers notched up by the film are all the more remarkable considering the context in which they were achieved. Dangal
released at a time when the country was still gripped with a cash cruch
and a massive reduction in consumer spending post-demonetisation –
something that undoubtedly impacted the revenues of releases after
Novmber 8. However, much like in the climax of the film itself, this
formidable adversary too was overcome and outclassed.
A huge round
of applause is in order for everyone associated with this landmark
film. But the biggest cheer must undoubtedly be reserved for the film’s
leading man and producer, Aamir Khan.
Mr Khan is the undisputed
Milestone Man of the Indian box office and has made a habit of going
where no man has gone before! Astoundingly, Rs.100 crore (Ghajini), Rs.200 crore – and by default, the Rs.150-crore mark – (3 Idiots), Rs.250 crore (Dhoom 3) and Rs.300 crore (PK)
– all these landmark thresholds have been crossed for the first time by
films that feature him as the main lead. And now, with Dangal, yet another unconqured frontier – the Rs.350-crore mark – has been breached by him.
In fact, the the trade’s only grouse would be the two-year gap that
usually separates Aamir Khan releases. And given the superstar’s
penchant for addressing social issues – as evidenced by his choice of
films like Dangal, PK, 3 Idiots, Taare Zameen Par and Rang De Basanti as also his TV show, Satyamev Jayate
– perhaps he should look at redressing the box office’s woes too by
having more frequent releases! Are you listening – Mr Khan?!
