New Delhi. August 15 is a special day for the celebration of Independence Day in the country, but this time is also considered important for the film industry due to the long weekend and holidays. Many big star and big budget films have been released around Independence Day, attracting the attention of the audience and doing strong business at the box office. These include films from different eras, which have made a special mark with their earnings and popularity.
First on this list is “Sholay,” released in 1975. Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, the film was directed by Ramesh Sippy. It hit theaters on August 15, 1975. Made on a budget of approximately 2.5 crore rupees, the film initially lacked the expected success, but later rapidly gained popularity among audiences. The film grossed approximately 15 to 35 crore rupees at the time. In today’s prices, its earnings are estimated to be several hundred crore rupees.
Shah Rukh Khan’s “Chak De India” was among the most popular films released around Independence Day. The film was released on August 10, 2007. Made on a budget of approximately ₹22 crore (approximately $220 million), this sports drama featured Shah Rukh Khan as the coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. Audiences appreciated the film’s story and the actors’ performances, and it grossed approximately ₹91 crore (approximately $910 million).
Salman Khan’s “Ek Tha Tiger” capitalized on its August 15th release and achieved significant box office success. Released in 2012, this spy action film is considered one of the most significant films in Salman Khan’s career. Made on a budget of approximately ₹75 crore, the film grossed approximately ₹350 crore. Its success further cemented the popularity of Salman Khan’s action films.
Ajay Devgn’s “Singham Returns” was also a success, releasing on Independence Day. Directed by Rohit Shetty, the film hit theaters on August 15, 2014. The film’s budget was reportedly around ₹70 crore, and it grossed over ₹220 crore at the box office. Ajay Devgn’s action-packed portrayal of a police officer proved highly popular with audiences.
The most recent major success on this list was “Gadar 2.” This Sunny Deol-starrer was released on August 11, 2023, and benefited from the Independence Day holidays. Directed by Anil Sharma, the film had a budget of approximately ₹60 crore (approximately $600 million). The film grossed approximately ₹690 crore (approximately $600 million) at the domestic box office, marking Sunny Deol’s return to the big screen as a major success.
The success of these films also demonstrates that the holidays surrounding Independence Day are a strong opportunity for films to attract audiences. While each film’s success depends on a number of factors, including its story, star cast, audience response, and competition, these films effectively capitalized on this release window at different times.