ENTERTAINMENT
Image Credits: Filmfare
Akshay Kumar has just dropped out of his iconic Hera Pheri series — prompting a massive reaction from fans. It's yet another example of the immense weight Kumar's presence holds in Bollywood, as one of its richest and most-successful actors.
Image Credits: Filmfare
Commanding massive Rs. 40Cr+ fees for his films and serving as the catalyst for immense box office gains, here's Akshay Kumar's best-performing films in recent history, according to Box Office India:
Image Credits: UTV Motion Pictures
#10 - Rowdy RathoreNet Gross: Rs. 198 CroreMade on a budget of Rs. 77 Crore, this Prabhu Deva helmed remake of S. S. Rajamouli's Vikramarkudu brought back the masala genre in a big way, and became one of 2012's biggest hits.
Image Credits: Viacom 18 Studios
#9 - Toilet: Ek Prem KathaNet Gross: Rs. 200 CroreNearly matching Rathore while being a radically different film, this social comedy was co-produced by Kumar himself and was the first film by him to break the Rs. 200 Cr. barrier.
Image Credits: Zee Studios
#8 - KesariNet Gross: Rs. 208 CroreReleased during Holi 2019, Kesari's epic historical scope — pitting a force of 21 Sikh Jat soldiers against 10,000 enemies on the battlefield — resonated strongly with his core audience.
Image Credits: B4U Motion Pictures
#7 - AirliftNet Gross: Rs. 209 CroreAn adaptation of real-life businessman Mathunny Mathews' heroism during the 1990 Invasion of Kuwait, Kumar's on-screen heroics and the film's hit soundtrack, along with his immense Gulf following led to an inevtable blockbuster back during this 2016 release.
Image Credits: B4U Motion Pictures
#6 - RustomNet Gross: Rs. 214 CroreKumar's filmography is littered with crime dramas — a genre he pretty much perfected with this 2016 superhit. Diving deep into a real-life case, Kumar's efforts here won him a National Film Award for Best Actor.
Image Credits: Dharma Productions
#5 - 2.0Net Gross: Rs. 267 CroreThe most expensive Indian film made at the time of its release, 2.0 saw Kumar take on one of his more unique roles as ornithologist Pakshi Rajan, in this high-budget sci-fi thriller.
Image Credits: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
#4 - Mission MangalNet Gross: Rs. 279 CrorePossibly India's most iconic film referencing space, the ISRO-focused drama added another feather to Kumar's biopic cap, as he played a character loosely based on real-life scientist and Padma Shri awardee Subbiah Arunan.
Image Credits: Fox Star Studios
#3 - Housefull 4Net Gross: Rs. 294 CroreA wacky action-comedy with themes of reincarnation, critics panned the film's plot and direction, but praised Kumar's screen presence. It must have clearly worked, as the film regardless went on to snag over Rs. 50 Cr in its Diwali weekend release.
Image Credits: Reliance Entertainment
#2 - SooryavanshiNet Gross: Rs. 294 CroreThe fourth film in Rohit Shetty's 'Cop Universe', Sooryavanshi was also by far the most expensive to make — with Kumar reportedly taking over Rs. 25 Cr. for his work in the lead role.
Image Credits: Dharma Productions
#1 - Good NewwzNet Gross: Rs. 304 CroreSetting off records for Kumar, this comedy did exceptionally well at the box office — marking off yet another blockbuster for Dharma Productions.