4 November 2023, Mumbai: The Indian film industry kicked off 2023 with a cinematic spectacle as major releases like Pathaan, Varisu, Waltair Veerayya, Veera Simha Reddy, Thunivu, Jawan, Leo, and Tiger 3 took the box office by storm in January. These powerhouse films set the stage for an exhilarating year in Bollywood.
Pathaan- A Bollywood Record Breaker
Among the January releases, Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan emerged as the reigning champion, securing its position as the biggest Hindi opener of 2023. It etched its name in Bollywood history by crossing the 100 crore mark on its opening day, making it the highest-grossing Bollywood film in India and a distinguished member of the 1000 crore club.
Varisu, Thunivu, and Regional Victories
As the northern box office witnessed Pathaan’s dominance, the southern circuits showcased their own cinematic prowess. In the fierce clash between Varisu and Thunivu, the latter emerged victorious, ranking as the fifth highest-grossing Tamil movie of all time. Meanwhile, Chiranjeevi’s Waltair Veerayya and NBK’s Veera Simha Reddy resonated with Telugu audiences, marking significant commercial successes.
A Glance at 2023’s Highest Grossers
Examining the highest opening day grossers of 2023 unveils the formidable might of Indian cinema. Pathaan stands as the sole Bollywood film to breach the 100 crore mark on its debut, setting a precedent for the year. However, the global phenomenon RRR, the epic Baahubali 2, and the much-anticipated KGF 2 hold their own in the pantheon of opening day records, spanning languages like Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Rajamouli’s RRR Tops the List
The Southern film industry, led by maestro S.S. Rajamouli, takes center stage in the opening day records. RRR, Rajamouli’s magnum opus, reigns supreme with an unparalleled collection of over Rs 230 crore worldwide on its debut. Baahubali 2 follows closely, with KGF 2 making a resounding impact, not just in its native Kannada but also in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. The list underlines the decade-long trend of South Indian cinema’s growing influence on the Indian box office
By Yashika Desai