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Alia Bhatt’s Box Office Journey: From Hits to a Controversial Low
Alia Bhatt has solidified her status as one of the leading figures in Bollywood, accumulating both critical acclaim and commercial success over the years. However, her latest film, Jigra, has ignited debates within the industry, especially after actor-filmmaker Divya Khossla Kumar accused her of manipulating box office figures through the purchase of her own movie tickets. Despite the controversies surrounding it, Jigra has unfortunately underperformed, recording the weakest box office opening of Bhatt’s career since Highway (2014). This article delves into her box office trajectory and examines the dynamics of her film ventures over the years.
Early Success and Breakthrough Films
Making her debut in Karan Johar’s Student of the Year (2012), Alia Bhatt quickly gained attention, with the film achieving instant popularity. It opened strong, collecting Rs 7.48 crore, and went on to gross Rs 70 crore in India. Her portrayal of the fashionable Shanaya established her as a formidable presence in the commercial film landscape.
Following this, her role in 2 States (2014), based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel, marked another leap in her career as the film scored an impressive opening of Rs 12.40 crore, culminating in a lifetime collection of over Rs 102 crore. This film showcased her versatility, transitioning from a glamorous character to a more relatable role, and garnered significant commercial success and critical acclaim.
Mixed Performances and Critical Acclaim
Bhatt enjoyed a strong follow-up with Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014), which grossed Rs 76.81 crore, but faced a disappointment with the film Shaandaar (2015). Despite a promising start of Rs 13.10 crore, it fizzled out, ending its run with just Rs 43.10 crore, highlighting the unpredictability of film success.
However, she rebounded with Udta Punjab (2016), where her portrayal of a struggling migrant was lauded, earning Rs 10.10 crore on opening day and totaling Rs 60.33 crore. This role demonstrated her depth as an actress, transcending the typical boundaries of commercial cinema.
Continued successes followed with Dear Zindagi (2016) and Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017), the latter grossing Rs 117.89 crore, solidifying Bhatt’s position as a leading actress capable of drawing in audiences across various genres.
Box Office Performances Overview
Alia Bhatt’s Films
Opening Collection (India Net)
Lifetime Collection (India Net)
Lifetime Collection (India Gross)
Student of the Year (2012) – Rs 7.48 crore / Rs 70 crore / Rs 92 crore
Highway (2014) – Rs 3.40 crore / Rs 30.65 crore / Rs 41.37 crore
2 States (2014) – Rs 12.40 crore / Rs 102.33 crore / Rs 142.23 crore
Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) – Rs 9.05 crore / Rs 76.81 crore / Rs 106.70 crore
Shaandaar (2015) – Rs 13.10 crore / Rs 43.10 crore / Rs 59.95 crore
Kapoor & Sons (2016) – Rs 6.9 crore / Rs 73.22 crore / Rs 98.86 crore
Udta Punjab (2016) – Rs 10.10 crore / Rs 60.33 crore / Rs 83.80 crore
Dear Zindagi (2016) – Rs 8.80 crore / Rs 68.45 crore / Rs 92.41 crore
Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017) – Rs 12.27 crore / Rs 117.89 crore / Rs 162.17 crore
Raazi (2018) – Rs 7.53 crore / Rs 123.74 crore / Rs 158.00 crore
Gully Boy (2019) – Rs 19.40 crore / Rs 139.63 crore / Rs 164.70 crore
Kalank (2019) – Rs 21.60 crore / Rs 84.60 crore / Rs 99.80 crore
Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) – Rs 10.47 crore / Rs 132.01 crore / Rs 155.5 crore
Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022) – Rs 36.42 crore / Rs 267.2 crore / Rs 315.5 crore
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) – Rs 11.1 crore / Rs 153.55 crore / Rs 182.5 crore
Jigra (2024) – Rs 4.55 crore / Still running in theatres / Still running in theatres
Box Office Peak with ‘Raazi’ and ‘Gully Boy’
Alia reached remarkable heights with Raazi (2018), a gripping narrative where she depicted an undercover spy. Opening at Rs 7.53 crore, the film went on to earn Rs 123.74 crore, positioning it among the highest-grossing films led by a female actor in Bollywood.
Her role in Gully Boy (2019) further cemented her reputation, grossing Rs 139.63 crore and showcasing her ability to adeptly handle diverse characters. Her performance as the tenacious Safeena contributed to the film’s overall success and critical reception.
Stumbles with ‘Kalank’ and Return with ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’
Not every project proved successful for Bhatt. Kalank (2019) opened at a robust Rs 21.60 crore but faltered, ending with a mere Rs 84.60 crore. The film faced significant criticism, underscoring that not even a leading star could salvage a poorly crafted script.
In contrast, her return with Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) ushered in massive financial success, collecting Rs 132.01 crore and earning her accolades for her dynamic portrayal of the titular character, further enhancing her standing within the industry.
Blockbuster Success with ‘Brahmastra’ and a Hit with ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’
One of Bhatt’s standout moments came with Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022), which opened at Rs 36.42 crore and amassed Rs 267.2 crore in India. The film overcame skepticism regarding its potential and affirmed Bhatt’s box office viability.
Following this, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) also performed well, grossing Rs 153.55 crore. Bhatt portrayed Rani Chatterjee, showcasing her ability to engage audiences through diverse roles.
‘Jigra’: A New Low in Box Office Collections
Despite her generally strong performance in the box office arena, Jigra (2024) has surfaced as an anomaly in Bhatt’s career portfolio. Opening at a meager Rs 4.55 crore, it marks her lowest entry since Highway. Directed by Vasan Bala and produced by Bhatt’s production company, Eternal Sunshine Productions, the film has been criticized for its sluggish pacing and disappointing screenplay.
Regardless of the reception of Jigra, Alia Bhatt’s overall box office narrative remains robust. Her ability to seamlessly navigate commercial triumphs alongside substantive roles establishes her as one of Bollywood’s most agile actors. Nonetheless, the ongoing discourse about the integrity of her films’ commercial metrics raises intriguing questions about her future projects.
As she faces controversy and a rare box office disappointment, the pressing question looms: Will Alia Bhatt maintain her reign as Bollywood’s most bankable actress? Anticipation builds around her upcoming film, Alpha—projected to be Hindi cinema’s inaugural female-led installment in the YRF Spy Universe.
[Please note: Box office data has been sourced from Sacnilk.com.]
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