The year of 2016 witnessed all shades at the ticket counters, from movies running to packed houses to theaters being empty. There were surprise hits, shocking flops and mediocre performers at the Box Office this year. In terms of money earned at the box office, Salman Khan starrer Sultan was the one that came out with flying colors.
With the year drawing to an end, it would only be nice to have a look at the movies that brought a smile on the faces of makers, distributors and exhibitors.
1. Sultan
Salman Khan’s Eid gift to his fans was a sports drama that chronicled the rise and fall of a wrestler. Released on 6, July, this YRF banner movie earned Rs 300 crore in the domestic market. Almost everything about the movie was appreciated by critics, from Salman’s effort to get into the skin of the character to his chemistry with Anushka Sharma and from the storytelling to the music. The views of the critics were shared by the viewers too, which is why the movie became the biggest blockbuster of this year.
2. Dangal
Another sports drama starring another Khan wowed viewers this year. Aamir Khan starrer Dangal is continuing its dream run at the Box Office. It minted close to Rs 190 crore till Thursday and is expected to gross more money in the coming days. This Nitesh Tiwari directorial showed the story of real life wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and how he made his daughters Geeta and Babita, world class wrestlers.
Also Read: Do you know what Salman Khan told Aamir Khan after watching Dangal?
3. M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story
2016 was certainly the year sports movies performed tremendously well at the box office. Sushant Singh Rajput in the role of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s most successful skipper for limited overs, swooned everyone. The biopic raked in Rs 129 crore. Though the movie was bashed by many for not being true to the story of Dhoni, it still managed to garner footfalls at the halls.
4. Airlift
Akshay Kumar starrer Airlift that was inspired by real life events impressed viewers. It earned Rs 129 crore at the domestic market and became the first movie of 2016 to enter the coveted Rs 100 crore club. Released on January 22, Airlift had its plot woven around the biggest air evacuation carried on by the Indian government from war-struck Kuwait.
5. Rustom
Featuring Akshay Kumar, Ilena D’ Cruz and Lisa Haydon, Rustom took inspiration from the scandalous case of KM Nanavati vs the State of Maharashtra. Rustom became a box office success by earning Rs 127 crore at the ticket counters.
Also read: RAW agent, gangster & now a lawyer: Why Akshay Kumar is the most versatile actor till date
6. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
Despite being shrouded in controversy, days before its release Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil managed to enter the coveted Rs 100 crore. The multi starrer grossed Rs 112. 39 crore at the Box Office.
7. Housefull 3
The third installment of the Housefull franchise was the only comedy movie to enter the Rs 100 crore club in 2016 by earning Rs 107.70 crore. Interestingly, 2016 was the year when three of Akshay’s movies touched the century mark pointing that his stardom knows no bounds.
8. Shivaay
The Diwali weekend of 2016 witnessed the clash of two biggies, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shivaay. The film essentially rode on Ajay Devgn’s shoulders, with him as the principle character, the director, and the co-producer. The film collected Rs 100.25 crore at the BO.
9. Fan
Shah Rukh Khan starrer Fan was one of the most hyped movies of 2016 but sadly the buzz didn’t translate to box office numbers. The film earned only Rs 85 crore at the Box Office, a number that was very less, given the stardom of King Khan. Recently during an interview, SRK confessed that the failure of Fan left him shaken as the movie was close to his heart.
Also read: Raees beats Sultan. Trailer of Shah Rukh Khan film crosses 12 million views in 24 hours
10. Baaghi
Shraddha Kapoor and Tiger Shroff’s first silver screen outing Baaghi earned Rs 76 crore at the Box Office. Though critics weren’t too impressed by the plot or the portrayal of the actors, the movie performed well at the ticket window.
