2024 box office moves at a glacial pace for Bollywood, Eid adds to the woes – Exclusive |

After a triumphant 2023, Bollywood finds itself in a slump again in 2024. Despite high hopes for the new year, the first quarter has proven lackluster, which includes a dull Eid. The year began with ‘Fighter’ and ‘Shaitaan’ earning praise, while Kareena Kapoor, Tabu and Kriti Sanon starrer ‘Crew’ also emerged as a happy hit but the big budget dramas have faltered.Take a look at the first quarter report card of 2024:
The TOP 10 money spinners of 2024 (India Hindi Net) are as follows:

1. Fighter – Rs 212.79 crore
2. Shaitaan – Rs 145.67 crore
3. Teri Baton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya – Rs 85.09 crore
4. Article 370 – Rs 77.97 crore
5. Crew – Rs 71.87 crore
6. Hanuman – Rs 52.29 crore
7. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan – Rs 49.2 crore
8. Yodha – Rs 35.46 crore
9. Maidaan – Rs 28.19 crore
10. Madgaon Express – Rs 27.65 crore

Following the Republic Day weekend success of ‘Fighter’, anticipation soared for the Eid releases. All eyes were on two major films: ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’, featuring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, and the long-delayed sports biopic ‘Maidaan’, starring Ajay Devgn. Yet, the disappointing box office openings for both brought the spotlight back on quality content, budget woes and release strategies.
While ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ opened with just Rs 15.65 crore, ‘Maidaan’ fetched a disappointing Rs 4.5 crore. The Ali Abbas Zafar helmed actioner managed to cross 50 crore after an eight-day stay and Ajay Devgn’s film made slow progress, earning Rs 28.25 crore in the same time span. Interestingly, Eid 2023 was also a low scorer. Salman Khan went all out with his Eid surprise of ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’, which only earned Rs 13.5 crore on its opening day. This multi-starrer ended its domestic run with Rs 110 crore, way behind Salman’s Diwali blockbuster Tiger 3.
Is Eid losing its festive box office sheen?
Beyond the clash, these figures made us question if Eid is losing its sheen, however producer Ramesh Taurani opined, “A festival never loses its sheen, it is always about a good movie. Someone gets Eid, Diwali or Christmas… but it majorly depends on the story. If the movie is good then there is an impact. It always depends on the film and not the stars. There are examples of films flopping on Diwali, and other movies going hit on Eid. If the movie is good then the public will follow. But it is okay… it happens.”
Eventually, it all comes down to content, asserted exhibitor Akshaye Rathie, “Serious FOMO around consumption is what we’re missing this year. We have had enough scenarios in the recent past where Eid has been absolutely ballistic, but we just need to provide the right kind of content to the mood of the nation at that point of time, and as long as we can do that with great solid mass entertainers, it’s a holiday that will always continue to count.”

High ticket prices, poor marketing to be blamed?
This raises the question: Is Bollywood failing to deliver what audiences want to see? If it’s not the content, then where exactly is the industry falling short? Trade analyst Atul Mohan questioned the content, “Festive seasons used to be a guaranteed win for movie releases, but audience expectations haven’t dimmed – the quality of films has simply fallen short. If audiences are willing to turn out for non-festive blockbusters, why wouldn’t they embrace holiday releases with the added incentive of a family outing?”
He further added an interesting perspective, “The answer lies in marketing. Poor promotion has failed to generate excitement or anticipation. Success or failure comes later, but first you need to get people in seats. This time around, actors and marketing teams haven’t delivered. Additionally, let’s not forget the lingering perception that cinema tickets are expensive.”

TOP 10 Eid releases of Bollywood!
Salman Khan’s repertoire boasts of some of the biggest Eid blockbusters like ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, ‘Bodyguard, ‘Sultan’ and ‘Dabangg’, while ‘Chennai Express’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ too have excelled on the same festive occasion. Take a look at the biggest Eid releases of Bollywood.
1. Bharat (2019) – 42.30 Cr. approx.
2. Race 3 (2018) – 38.15 Cr. approx.
3. Sultan (2016) – 37.30 Cr. approx.
4. Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) – 36.60 Cr. approx.
5. Chennai Express (2023) – 33.10 Cr. approx.
6. Ek Tha Tiger (2012) – 32.90 Cr. approx.
7. Kick (2014) – 28.90 Cr. approx.
8. Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023) – 25.75 Cr. approx.
9. Bodyguard (2011) – 21.60 Cr. approx.
10. Tubelight (2017) – 19.10 Cr. approx.

Eid 2025 BOOKED!
Salman Khan may have missed the date with his fans this year, but he is not losing out on the opportunity in 2025. The actor has booked Eid 2025, for his next movie ‘Sikandar’, which will be helmed by AR Murugadoss. The actor is all set to begin shooting for this entertainer in May and Pritam has been roped in to provide the music for this action packed movie, which is going to enjoy a grand solo release.

Here’s hoping for a brighter Eid and a promising report card for Bollywood ahead!