In a bold departure from tradition, Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan, lovingly known as SRK, has achieved monumental success with two of the biggest hits in Hindi cinema history – Pathaan and Jawan – all without the usual pre-release promotional frenzy.
Instead, he relied on the audience’s unwavering anticipation to see him grace the silver screen. This unconventional strategy paid off, not once, but twice.
According to SRK’s production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, ‘Jawan’ has amassed a staggering ₹1,043 crore worldwide, equivalent to roughly $125 million. This places Jawan on the cusp of surpassing Pathaan and clinching the title of the second-highest-grossing Bollywood film ever, trailing only behind Aamir Khan’s Dangal.
Notably, the 2016 sports drama achieved considerable success in China, propelled by word-of-mouth acclaim. Remarkably, neither Jawan nor Pathaan saw a release in the Middle Kingdom, rendering their achievements all the more remarkable.
Pathaan concluded its global run with an impressive $130 million, reigning as the highest-grossing Hindi-language film in India until recently surpassed by Jawan. The latter also shattered records for the largest opening day, weekend, and week in Hindi cinema history.
Furthermore, SRK’s exceptional feat of delivering two $100 million-plus blockbusters in a single year solidifies his unique standing in Bollywood. While Jawan is set to claim the title of the second-highest-grossing Hindi film, it ranks as the fourth highest-grossing Indian film overall, trailing behind the Kannada-language sensation KGF: Chapter 2, and two Telugu-language juggernauts helmed by S.S. Rajamouli: RRR and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.
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On the domestic front, Jawan has garnered nearly $14 million in earnings to date, and while poised to potentially surpass ‘RRR’s’ $17 million domestic haul, it remains uncertain if it can surpass ‘Pathaan’s’ milestone.
This unconventional triumph marks a turning point in Bollywood’s narrative, as SRK continues to redefine the boundaries of cinematic success.
