Diwali Box Office Clashes (2010–2025): Bollywood’s Biggest Festive Battles and Records

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Diwali Box Office Clashes: Complete Analysis (2010–2025)

A year-by-year breakdown of Diwali releases, winners, box office collections and key records. From Golmaal 3 to Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 — every festive clash analysed.

Overview

Diwali has become Bollywood’s most important box office window. Between 2010 and 2025, the festival produced record breakers, surprise flops and high-stakes star clashes. This analysis covers every major Diwali release across these years — the winner(s), box office numbers (India net / worldwide where available), verdicts and notable records.

Year-wise Diwali Clashes & Outcomes (2010–2025)

2010: Golmaal 3 vs Action Replayy — Winner: Golmaal 3

• Golmaal 3 — India Net: ₹106.64 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹162.30–169.09 Cr | Verdict: Blockbuster
• Action Replayy — India Net: ₹29.06 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹48.00–48.56 Cr | Verdict: Flop
• Rohit Shetty's mass comedy dominated the festive audience; sci-fi comedy failed to connect.

2011: Ra.One (Solo Release) — Result: Successful

• Ra.One — India Net: ₹116.20 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹203.95–206.73 Cr | Verdict: Below Average (3rd highest grosser of 2011)
• A high-curiosity solo release for Shah Rukh Khan; strong openings but mixed critical response.

2012: Jab Tak Hai Jaan vs Son of Sardaar — Winner: Both Successful

• Jab Tak Hai Jaan — India Net: ~₹120.85 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹235.66–235.70 Cr | Verdict: Super Hit
• Son of Sardaar — India Net: ~₹105.03 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹161.48 Cr | Verdict: Hit
• Despite screen disputes, both star-driven films found audiences.

2013: Krrish 3 (Solo Release) — Result: Blockbuster

• Krrish 3 — India Net (Hindi): ~₹231.79–244.92 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹374.00–393.37 Cr | Verdict: Blockbuster
• Superhero spectacle dominated the festive box office.

2014: Happy New Year (Solo Release) — Result: Super Hit

• Happy New Year — India Net: ~₹199.95–203.00 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹383.10–397.00 Cr | Verdict: Super Hit
• Record opening day at the time; mass-family entertainer performed strongly.

2015: Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (Solo Release) — Result: Super Hit

• Prem Ratan Dhan Payo — India Net: ~₹210.16 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹388.48–405.85 Cr | Verdict: Super Hit
• Sooraj Barjatya + Salman Khan formula delivered big family numbers.

2016: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil vs Shivaay — Winner: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

• Ae Dil Hai Mushkil — India Net: ~₹112.48–113.19 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹239.67–240.72 Cr | Verdict: Super Hit
• Shivaay — India Net: ~₹100.33 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹147.29–148.91 Cr | Verdict: Below Average
• Karan Johar’s romantic drama outperformed Ajay Devgn’s action offering.

2017: Golmaal Again vs Secret Superstar — Winner: Both Profitable

• Golmaal Again — India Net: ~₹205.69 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹308.62–311.18 Cr | Verdict: Blockbuster
• Secret Superstar — India Net: ~₹63.40 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹875.78–912.75 Cr | Verdict: Super Hit
• Aamir Khan’s production became a global phenomenon (China boosted returns).

2018: Thugs of Hindostan (Solo Release) — Result: Disaster

• Thugs of Hindostan — India Net: ~₹151.19–151.30 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹320.00–327.51 Cr | Verdict: Disaster
• Massive budget and opening failed to save it from negative word-of-mouth.

2019: Housefull 4 vs Made in China vs Saand Ki Aankh — Winner: Housefull 4

• Housefull 4 — India Net: ~₹194.60–210.30 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹280.27–296.00 Cr | Verdict: Super Hit
• Made in China — India Net: ~₹9.63–12.30 Cr | Verdict: Flop
• Saand Ki Aankh — India Net: ~₹23.40 Cr | Verdict: Flop

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic — Result: No Major Releases

Theatres remained mostly closed or severely capacity-restricted; big releases shifted to OTT.

2021: Sooryavanshi (Solo Release) — Result: Blockbuster

• Sooryavanshi — India Net: ~₹193.27–196.00 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹294.17–294.91 Cr | Verdict: Blockbuster
• A major theatrical revival post-pandemic—audiences returned for big-screen spectacle.

2022: Ram Setu vs Thank God — Winner: None

• Ram Setu — India Net: ~₹71.87–74.70 Cr | Verdict: Flop
• Thank God — India Net: ~₹34.89–36.35 Cr | Verdict: Flop
• Neither film recovered costs despite Diwali advantage.

2023: Tiger 3 (Solo Release) — Result: Hit

• Tiger 3 — India Net: ~₹282.79–285.52 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹464.00–466.63 Cr | Verdict: Hit
• Salman Khan’s Diwali opener set new benchmarks for openings.

2024: Singham Again vs Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 — Winner: Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3

• Singham Again — India Net: ~₹270.60–274.61 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹389.64–402.26 Cr | Verdict: Losing affair
• Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 — India Net: ~₹281.20–283.80 Cr | Worldwide: ~₹420.79–423.85 Cr | Verdict: Super Hit
• Strong holds for BB3 gave it the edge in the clash.

2025: Thamma vs Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat — (Upcoming)

• Thamma — Horror-comedy (Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna)
• Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat — Romantic drama (Harshvardhan Rane, Sonam Bajwa, Amitabh Bachchan)
• Another high-profile Diwali clash in 2025 — results pending release.

Notable Records & Key Insights (2010–2025)

• Most frequent Diwali lead: Ajay Devgn (7 Diwali films)
• Most profitable title: Secret Superstar (2017) — exceptional ROI owing to China grosses
• Biggest disaster: Thugs of Hindostan (2018) — high budget, weak returns
• Solo release advantage: Years with solo Diwali releases (e.g., Krrish 3, Happy New Year, Tiger 3) often saw bigger openings and long runs
• Post-pandemic bounce: Sooryavanshi (2021) benefited from pent-up demand for theatrical spectacles

Trends: Clashes vs Solo Releases

Historic pattern shows that solo Diwali releases from a top star or franchise usually perform better due to concentrated screens and marketing. Clashes can work when each film targets different audience segments — for example, a mass comedy vs a content-driven drama.

• When both films cater to similar audiences, box office cannibalisation often reduces lifetime potential.
• Regional and international markets (especially China for certain Aamir Khan films) can drastically alter profitability.

How Filmpanti Should Cover Diwali Releases

• Publish: Pre-release guide (cast, trailer, competition analysis) 3–5 days before Diwali.
• Publish: Day-wise box office tracker for the first 2 weeks — readers want quick daily updates.
• Create: Clash explainer articles (Why A beat B — audience, screens, hold %).
• Use: Shorts / Reels for highlights, and X threads for day-by-day numbers.

Conclusion

Diwali remains the definitive test for Bollywood films. Between 2010 and 2025, it produced unforgettable winners and cautionary tales. Whether studios opt for solo releases or clash intentionally, the festival underlines how timing, star power and word-of-mouth shape box office destiny.

Stay updated with Filmpanti.in for live Diwali box office tracking, exclusive analysis and verdicts.

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