India’s next hit Pathaan breaks a major Bollywood worldwide record for the biggest opening weekend in history. Written and directed by Siddharth Anand, Pathaan stars Shah Rukh Khan in his comeback role as the titular spy after a four-year acting hiatus. Furthermore, he reunites with Om Shanti Om and Chennai Express co-star Deepika Padukone. In the fourth installment of the YRF Spy Universe, Pathaan is tasked with defeating Jim (John Abraham), a rogue ex-RAW agent leading a terrorist organization with plans to spread a deadly virus across his homeland.
Released on January 25, Deadline reports that the Shah Rukh Khan-starring film Pathaan has officially broken the Bollywood worldwide record for the biggest opening weekend. Not only that, but its release also marks the first Hindu-language film to garner over 300 crores (36.8 million) globally. Aside from its commercial success, Pathaan has brought in positive reviews from critics, with a current score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
Will Pathaan Become The Next RRR?
Pathaan‘s success echoes that of India’s other recent hit, 2022’s RRR. Directed by S. S. Rajamouli, RRR has swept the American awards circuit, scoring two Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards. Its viral song, “Naatu Naatu,” has also scored an Oscar nomination. RRR dominated the box office, becoming the third-highest-grossing Indian film and the second-highest-grossing Telegu film worldwide. Judging by Pathaan’s early triumph, it could very well be on the way to earning the same acclaim in Hollywood. Though without an original song to its name, Pathaan‘s success will likely be in the box office form.
What Are Some Of The Biggest Bollywood Movies In The Last Decade?
Pathaan‘s accomplishment proves it may be Bollywood’s comeback after a string of disappointing releases. Premiering in theaters across over 100 countries, Pathaan could help the Bollywood industry bounce back after titles in South India have overshadowed the region’s recent films. However, this shift was preceded by a boom in Bollywood, most notably with 2016’s Dangal. The biographical sports drama film, made under The Walt Disney Company India, is the highest-grossing Hindi-language film and highest-grossing Indian film of all time. Starring actor, film director, and producer Aamir Khan as former wrestler, Mahavir Singh Phogat, Dangal follows the retired sports star’s return to glory through training his daughters to fight. Dangal made $338 million worldwide.
Prolific filmmaker Khan continued his string of successful films with 2017’s Secret Superstar, which grossed over $142 million. Khan starred alongside Zaira Wasim as Insia, a teenage girl aspiring to become a singer, though she must conceal her identity in her viral YouTube videos with a niqab. With more of a political theme than Dangal, Secret Superstar was a winner with critics, touching on social issues such as feminism and gender equality. Two comedy dramas, 2015’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan and 2014’s PK, follow as the third and fourth highest-grossing Hindu-language films of all time, bringing in $141 million and $133 million, respectively. While no movies have yet to reach Dangal’‘s level of success, its opening weekend took home $15.92 million. Based on this, with Pathaan‘s current numbers alongside RRR‘s level of success, it stands a chance at taking the title of India’s highest-grossing film, above Dangal.
Source: Deadline