PremiumSalman Khan and Diwali: A Love Affair With Big Hits, But Also Some Surprising Flops – From Andaz Apna Apna To Tiger 3
Apart from Eid, Salman Khan has also made Diwali his niche over the years with many significant releases
Andaz Apna Apna, Tiger 3, and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo
Last Updated: 07.12 PM, Nov 08, 2023
It's not new for Bollywood superstars to mark festivals by consistently delivering movies around them. Salman Khan, for instance, has been synonymous with Eid releases for years. But have you ever noticed his love affair with Diwali and how he's enjoyed some of his biggest hits during this release window?
As Salman prepares to introduce his Agent avatar in Tiger 3, his fandom is undeniably excited to buy those tickets. Despite not having a very fruitful run at the box office recently, when you scratch the surface and look beneath, you'll realise that a Diwali release has often been a very profitable deal for Khan. However, there have been some landmark flops as well, so consider yourself warned.
To give you a perspective, even Andaz Apna Apna, one of the most cult films in Salman Khan's filmography, was released during Diwali in 1994, but its fate back then wasn't as glorious as its future would suggest. Read on to learn what happened with the Rajkumar Santoshi directorial and other Salman movies that were released during Diwali over the years (listed in reverse order).
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)
The last time Salman Khan graced the theatres on Diwali was in 2015. The actor teamed up with his favourite director, Sooraj Barjatya, for the latter's return to the big screen after a hiatus. The movie turned out to be the biggest success Khan ever had with his Diwali releases, earning Rs 388.48 crore worldwide. The film also starred Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhasker, and Neil Nitin Mukesh.
Bodyguard (2011)
The gaps between Salman's Diwali releases have been quite long. Four years before the Barjatya directorial, he appeared on the big screen alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan in Bodyguard, a movie that became a favourite on satellite television in the coming years. It also performed well theatrically, being declared a hit with a Rs 252.99 crore gross box office collection worldwide.
Main Aurr Mrs Khanna (2009)
In another film with Kareena Kapoor Khan, Salman Khan faced a string of bad luck with two consecutive Diwali releases. Main Aurr Mrs Khanna went up against Akshay Kumar's Blue and Ajay Devgn's All The Best and lost by a significant margin, earning only Rs 14.1 crore gross worldwide.
Jaan-E-Mann: Let’s Fall In Love...Again (2006)
A musical with lyrics by Gulzar Sahab and music composed by Anu Malik, Jaan-E-Mann looked vibrant. However, the format didn't resonate with the audience, resulting in the movie's rejection and another flop on Salman Khan's Diwali release list, with Jaan-E-Mann earning Rs 45.52 crore gross worldwide.
Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999)
Yes, you 90s kids, Hum Saath Saath Hain was indeed a Diwali release, and the movie turned out to be a celebration for decades to come. It's one of the most iconic films in Indian cinema and was an instant hit, becoming a blockbuster by earning Rs 69.58 crore.
Karan Arjun (1995)
Who isn't already craving a Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan reunion? Karan Arjun has become an integral part of Bollywood's DNA since its release in 1994. With a Diwali release, the movie became an all-time blockbuster, collecting Rs 36.75 crore worldwide.
Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
Now, here's the surprise you've been waiting for. Amar and Prem are two of the most beloved characters in Bollywood, and the humour and comedy they offered in Andaz Apna Apna are unparalleled. But while the movie is now considered a cult classic and an example of brilliant filmmaking, did you know it flopped when it was released in 1994? Yes, the movie only earned Rs 7.83 crore worldwide, which didn't help the makers financially.
Salman Khan will meet us this coming Sunday with Tiger 3, yet another Diwali release after almost a decade. It will be exciting to see what he has in store this time and how the audience responds. At this point, Khan needs a blockbuster after a series of duds.
(As per Bollywood Hungama)