While the Bollywood rooster is stormed by a mighty Salman Khan storm these days, scoring one blockbuster after the other, it is SRK’s Midas touch that have set him apart from his contempories by miles, in the international circuit. History has it that India’s biggest Global icon of the millennium; Shah Rukh Khan has vanquished all his battles to emerge as the biggest star overseas. While six films from this revolutionary czar of romance stand tall in the list of the top 10 films abroad, collection wise, it is no mystery that SRK, the brand rules the Bolly Ville with immense aplomb and elegance.
SRK’s My Name Is Khan holds the second position in the list of top 10 highest grossing films overseas, falling short by just a few figures to ace actor Amir Khan’s 3 Idiots but if you consider the total tally, its SRK, all the way. With a socially relevant plot in My Name Is Khan, playing an autistic Rizwan Khan with panache, our Baadshah brought in the angst and agony of being a Khan with powerful pitch-perfection. The movie went on to grab eyeballs and with a certain international tinge stringed to the main theme, My Name Is Khan had SRK’s superpowers coalescing into one periphery.
Shah Rukh Khan in Chennai Express Movie Poster
Not just the second but the corresponding ranks are even crowned by other SRK films, with Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Don 2 and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna following MNIK up with respective numbers. While JTHJ had Samar Anand’s romantic genes in full throttle, Don 2 set the gangster charm ablaze with an added technological step-up. And much before Indian films were considered big across the boundaries, Karan Johar’s KANK, which loosely dealt with the intricacies of marriage and extra marital affairs, had botched up the roads to the global market. With a lifetime collections of $10,770,000 overseas, KANK clearly surpassed all expectations.
And the other two releases that stand as high at the 8th and 9th spot on the list are Om Shanti Om and Ra.One. As OSO brought in the entire Karz phenomenon back with the ‘80s portrayed beautifully on screen and the star cast etching up some marvelous performances, SRK’s magnum opus superhero flick Ra.One managed to mesmerize the audiences at large with its superb use of technique and VFX.
Top 10 Highest-Grossing Bollywood Films In Overseas
No.
Overseas Top 10 Bollywood movies
Lead stars
Collections in USD
1
3 Idiots
Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor
$25,000,000
2
My Name is Khan
Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol
$23,000,000
3
Jab Tak Hai Jaan
Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif
$13,560,000
4
Don 2
Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra
$11,750,000
5
Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna
Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta
$10,770,000
6
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Kalki Koechlin and Aditya Roy Kapur
$10,500,000
7
Ek Tha Tiger
Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif
$10,150,000
8
Om Shanti Om
Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone
$10,080,000
9
Ra.One
Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor
$9,200,000
10
Dabangg 2
Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj
$9,000,000
These along with the other films featuring on the list, mostly appeal to the classes, more than the masses. With an innate classy charm enchanting viewers worldwide, these films have carved a niche for themselves today. The only out and out mass entertainer that jolts up the no.10 spot on the list is Salman’s Dabangg 2. Even Ek Tha Tiger was one Salman flick that attracted more of the intelligentsia than the regular madhouse fans that line up to worship their favourite idol on screen. Clearly so, the audience abroad definitely likes films, the classy way, unlike our mass-entertaining nation! So with Shah Rukh gearing up for a film that is so non-SRK, a movie that is not the typical naach gaana and the romantic dialogues but has a lot more action and dollops of comedy in it, stakes on Chennai Express are definitely going higher each day. And with SRK’s growing popularity and craze in the global territory, his fandom too would be challenged with the release of this mad cap action comedy that has already notched up interest levels to a transcendent floor.
While Salman truly stands out as the baap of all stars when it comes to the Indian box office, SRK’s magic is an inevitable key to the indomitable star power that this Baazigaar enjoys across the globe. But Will SRK be able to get back to his money spinning ways and topple his arch rival Salman with Chennai Express? Or will Salman’s films that are benchmarks of this genre still be the staple diet that the audiences are fed? We are definitely waiting for answers now.
None the less, all SRK admirers might just be waiting their favourite star dethrone the ruling emperor here, but a nice collection at the overseas market will keep SRK’s winning streak on a consecutive roll, for sure! And with a film like Chennai Express, which comes of as an unusual from Shah, he would just try and make his first gamble the best bet of his life. The Rohit Shetty prowess might just take it a step forward, ay?
Will Chennai Express add up to the list or sink without a trace? Will Chennai Express adhere to the massy cringe and yet turn tables? Can Chennai Express exceed SRK’s other triumphs at the global arena? Are some questions floating around today, but yet the million dollar question is will this Rohit Shetty directorial be SRK’s first mass-oriented entry into the list of honour? Coming Eid, we will have all answers.
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