Bollywood made a striking comeback in 2023 not just in India but also in the US. Even now, there are some major releases set to hit screens in the coming weeks.
Shah Rukh Khan’s “Pathaan” has emerged as the top-grossing Indian film in the US this year, raking in an astounding $17.5 million. “Jawan” closely follows with an impressive $15.5 million. Surprisingly, “Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani,” featuring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, has secured the third position with an astonishing $10 million in earnings.
“Jailer” ($7 million), “Ponniyin Selvan 2” ($5.5 million), and “Leo” ($5.1 million) hold the 4th, 5th, and 6th positions, respectively.
In the upcoming months, we still have “Tiger 3,” “Animal,” “Dunki,” and “Salaar” set to hit the screens. With positive word of mouth, Salman Khan’s “Tiger 3” is expected to gross around $8-10 million. However, being released on a Sunday may result in a $2-3 million loss that could be challenging to compensate. “Animal” is also eyeing a gross of $6-8 million at the US box office.
“Dunki” is a film with significant appeal to US audiences, and if word of mouth is favorable, it has the potential to make waves in both the US and Canadian markets. Achieving a $20 million target seems plausible if all things fall in place. It’s poised to be a long-distance runner.
On the other hand, “Salaar” is a high-octane action film with a front-loaded appeal. Thanks to tremendous hype, Prabhas’ star power, and Prashant Neel’s brand name, the film is expected to open on a massive scale. However, its long-term success will depend on word of mouth. If it lives up to the audience’s expectations, “Salaar” should aim to surpass “Jawan’s” US collection of $15 million.
