In an amazing display of cinematic prowess, 2023 has proven to be a blockbuster for the Indian film industry. This year, Bollywood delivered diverse films that have captivated audiences and dominated the global box office. Here’s a look at the top 5 highest grossing Indian movies of 2023.
1. Jawan
Shah Rukh Khan continued his reign at the box office with Jawan. The film marked his second release of the year after the much-acclaimed Pathaan. Directed by debutant Atlee, the movie emerged as the highest grossing Indian film of 2023. With an impressive 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Jawan earned an estimated ₹1,144.23 crore or US$140 million globally. It surpassed its INR 300 crore or USD 38 million budget.
Jawan delves into the life of Azad, a jailer with a mysterious past. His wife, Narmada, an officer of the National Security Guards, is unwittingly tasked with tracking down her own husband.
2. Leo
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Leo has refused to slow down at the box office. Starring Thalapathy Vijay, Trisha Krishnan, and Sanjay Dutt, this action-packed thriller has stepped into its third week with resounding success.
Leo is the third installment in Kanagaraj’s cinematic universe. It has surpassed expectations, projected to earn a staggering Rs 2.5 crores (approx. USD 3 million) on its 19th day, bringing its overall collection to a monumental USD 39 million.
3. Pathaan
Pathaan set the stage for Indian cinema in 2023, earning global success. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham, the heist movie directed by Siddharth Anand and produced by Yash Raj Films. It secured the third spot in the highest-grossing films of the year with a collection of USD 199 million.
The film follows the life of an exiled RAW agent teaming up with an ISI agent to thwart a deadly virus attack on India. As such, this marked the first crossover in the YRF Spy Universe with Salman Khan’s Tiger making a cameo.
4. Gadar 2
The highly anticipated sequel to the 2001 hit, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha stormed into theaters on August 11, 2023. Directed and produced by Anil Sharma, Gadar 2 features Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, and Utkarsh Sharma. The film collected over USD 87 million worldwide against a modest production budget of USD 7.5 million.
Set against the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the film became the third highest grossing Indian film of 2023 and the seventh highest-grossing Hindi film of all time.
5. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Karan Johar’s directorial comeback with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani charmed audiences with its romantic comedy family drama. Released on July 28, 2023, the film featuring Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, and other veteran actors. The film raked in over USD 44 million worldwide.
Produced under Dharma Productions and Viacom18 Studios, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is definitely on the list of this year’s highest grossing Indian films and the fourth highest-grossing Hindi movie.
As the year draws to a close, these cinematic triumphs affirm Bollywood’s global impact, showcasing the industry’s ability to create compelling narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide.
