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1. CHENNAI EXPRESS (2013)
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone
Directed by: Rohit Shetty
The Id biggie opened huge — and remained huge — to become the biggest blockbuster ever in Bollywood. So far, Chennai Express has broken almost every box-office record, thanks to the film’s fun feel and SRK’s extensive promotional strategy.
Earnings till now: Rs 211.03 crore in 16 days and counting.
Projected earnings: Rs 240 crore-plus.
Thumbs up: Shah Rukh as Rahul, Deepika’s ROFL turn as Meenamma, some fun gags, Dudley’s picture-perfect frames,Vishal-Shekhar’s music — 1,2,3,4... get on the dance floor to Kashmir main tu Kanyakumari to Lungi dance. “It’s not heavy on the head, it’s nice on the heart,” is how SRK had sold the film. Get the connection with his triumphant ‘heart’ tweet?
Thumbs down: Not among SRK’s top five films; always OTT and often unfunny.
t2 says: Watch it. Enjoy it. Forget it.
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2. 3 idiots (2009)
Starring: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R.Madhavan and Sharman Joshi
Directed by: Rajkumar Hirani
Munnabhai maker Raju Hirani got together with Aamir Khan to blend head, heart and humour in this 2009 film that hit out against traditional ways of teaching and urged us to chase our dreams. Hirani’s master storytelling and Aamir’s out-of-the-box marketing — including a visit to Sourav Ganguly’s Behala home in disguise — made 3 Idiots the biggest Bolly earner, and kept it there for close to four years.
Total earnings: Rs 202.47 crore.
Thumbs up: The mirth-meets-message premise, the buddy bond on campus, Aamir’s turn as a college kid at age 44, the Aamir-Kareena cute chemistry, a strong supporting cast, Shantanu Moitra’s tunes, the strong feel-good factor.
Thumbs down: Fifteen minutes too long.
t2 says: Feel-good cinema that made us think (get the ‘mind’ part of SRK’s tweet?)
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3. EK THA TIGER (2012)
Starring: Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif
Directed by: Kabir Khan
New York man Kabir Khan’s love story of a super spy — Tiger played by Salman — was the Id-Independence Day biggie of 2012, bringing Salman and former ladylove Katrina on screen in their biggest film together. It shattered box-office records and became the second biggest Bolly earner. Until, Chennai Express came chugging in.
Total earnings: Rs 199.6 crore.
Thumbs up: Salman as Tiger and Katrina as Zoya, the exotic locales — Dublin to Istanbul to Havana, the daredevil action.
Thumbs down: The simplistic storyline.
t2 says: Paisa vasool fare with ceetee-taali action scenes involving lots of running and chasing (get the ‘legs’ part of SRK’s tweet?)
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4. YEH JAWAANI HAI DEEWANI (2013)
Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Kalki Koechlin and Aditya Roy Kapoor
Directed by: Ayan Mukerji
Produced by Karan Johar and helmed by his Wake Up Sid maker Ayan Mukerji, Yeh Jawaani... brought together ex-lovers Ranbir and Deepika. The coming-of-age story of self-discovery and the significance of relationships struck a chord, making this the fourth biggest hit of all time.
Total earnings: Rs 188.57 crore.
Thumbs up: Ranbir-Deepika’s scorching chemistry, solid supporting acts from Kalki and Aditya, Pritam’s chartbusters (Badtameez dil to Kabira, Ilahi to Balam pichkari) and Madhuri’s Ghagra act.
Thumbs down: Twenty minutes too long.
t2 says: The best coming-of-age film since Dil Chahta Hai.
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5. dabangg 2 (2012)
Starring: Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha
Directed by: Arbaaz Khan
Arbaaz took over the directorial reins from Abhinav Singh Kashyap for the sequel to the 2010 blockbuster that introduced to the world Salman’s Chulbul Pandey, a corrupt cop with a heart of gold. Dabangg 2 made more money than Dabangg and now sits fifth among Bolly’s biggest.
Total earnings: Rs 155 crore.
Thumbs up: Salman as the quirky but fun Chulbul, Sonakshi’s spirited Rajjo, Kareena’s oomph in Fevicol se.
Thumbs down: Not half as fun as the first film.
t2 says: Chulbul Pandey rocks but the film does not.
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6. BODYGUARD (2011)
Starring: Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor
Directed by: Siddique
Salman’s third biggie in the Top 10 was a remake of the Malayalam film of the same name and had the superstar playing bodyguard to Kareena’s poor li’ rich girl. The Id release of 2011, Salman fans ensured that the film cruised into the Rs 100cr club within a week of hitting theatres.
Total earnings: Rs 148 crore.
Thumbs up: Salman’s tough-yet-funny turn as Lovely Singh, a gorgeous Kareena, Pritam’s music led by I love you, Teri meri and Desi beat.
Thumbs down: Story? What story?
t2 says: Salman sells. And how.
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7. DABANGG (2010)
Starring: Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha
Directed by: Abhinav Singh Kashyap
Salman hit bullseye with Chulbul Pandey, making him one of the most fun characters to have come out of Bollywood — Ray-Ban Aviators tucked neatly into the collar of his shirt and ever ready with a smart one-liner.
Total earnings: Rs 138.88 crore.
Thumbs up: Salman, Salman and Salman. An assured debut from Sonakshi. The foot-tapping Munni badnam hui. The jaw-dropping action set-pieces.
Thumbs down: OTT and silly in parts.
t2 says: No one else — no Khan and no Kapoor — could have made Chulbul Pandey work.
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8. ROWDY RATHORE (2012)
Starring: Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha
Directed by: Prabhudeva
Akshay Kumar’s only film in the Top 10 was a remake of the Telugu action thriller Vikramarkudu. Akki’s double role as cop and con man and Sonakshi’s curvy oomph booked Rowdy Rathore’s berth in the century club.
Total earnings: Rs 133 crore.
Thumbs up: Akshay’s no-holds-barred act, the foot-tapping Chinta ta ta.
Thumbs down: The ’80s style masala action and romance.
t2 says: Masala sells. Still.
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9. JAB TAK HAI JAAN (2012)
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma
Directed by: Yash Chopra
Yash Chopra’s last film was a tribute to love lost and sacrificed, with SRK and Katrina teaming up for the first time.
Total earnings: Rs 120 crore.
Thumbs up: Shah Rukh’s intensity as bearded armyman Samar Anand, Katrina’s ethereal beauty, Anushka’s effervescent charm, the three “I love you scenes”.
Thumbs down: Cliched memory-loss plotline, A.R. Rahman’s music apart from Challa.
t2 says: Just a few standout touches from the king of romance.
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10. ready (2011)
Starring: Salman Khan and Asin
Directed by: Anees Bazmee
A remake of the Telugu film Ready, this romcom pulled out every gag from the joke book to make sure that Ready raked it in.
Total earnings: Rs 119 crore.
Thumbs up: Salman’s comic timing, some LOL moments, Character dheela and Dhinka chika.
Thumbs down: The wafer-thin storyline; Asin.
t2 says: Timepass.
Which of these films doesn’t deserve to be in the Top 10? Tell t2@abp.in
THE NEXT 10
Agneepath
Ra.One
Ghajini
Barfi!
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
Don 2
Golmaal 3
Housefull 2
Son Of Sardaar
Bol Bachchan
BOX OFFICE RECORDS
Biggest opening day (Rs 33.12 crore): CHENNAI EXPRESS
Highest second day (Rs 28.05 crore): CHENNAI EXPRESS
Highest third day (Rs 32.5 crore): CHENNAI EXPRESS
Biggest weekend (Rs 101 crore): CHENNAI EXPRESS
Fastest to Rs 100 crore (three days): CHENNAI EXPRESS
Biggest first week (Rs 156.7 crore): CHENNAI EXPRESS
Biggest second week (Rs 56 crore): 3 IDIOTS
Biggest third week (Rs 30 crore): 3 IDIOTS
Star with maximum films in Top 10: SALMAN KHAN
