It goes without saying that Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in India. Just like many of us, directors and producers eagerly anticipate this holiday to release their best work. Year after year, Diwali has witnessed some of the most significant box office clashes. From Gadar vs Lagaan in 2001, Veer Zaara vs Aitraaz in 2004, to Golmaal Returns vs Fashion in 2008, these clashes have brought forth some of the most entertaining films. This year, Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 go head-to-head. In the meantime, let us take a closer look at some of the most interesting clashes the Indian film industry had witnessed.
1. Secret Superstar Vs Golmaal Again (2017): Aamir Khan’s Secret Superstar clashed with the comedy Golmaal Again in 2017. Both of the films were two of the highest-grossing films of the year. Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal Again was headlined by Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Kemmu, while Secret Superstar featured Aamir with Zaira Wasim in key roles. The film was directed by Advait Chandan.
2. Shivaay Vs Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016): The clash between Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Ajay Devgn’s Shivaay was one of the most significant Diwali tussles Bollywood has seen in recent years. In addition to having a difficult time at the box office, the films caused tensions between Karan and Ajay in real life.
3. Jab Tak Hai Jaan Vs Son Of Sardaar (2012): Yash Chopra’s last directorial venture Jab Tak Hai Jaan faced Ashwni Dhir’s Son of Sardar at the box office. While Jab Tak Hai Jaan featured Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif in lead roles, Son of Sardar was headlined by Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Juhi Chawla, and Sonakshi Sinha. Both films did well at the box office.
4. Golmaal 3 Vs Action Replayy (2010): Regardless of reviews, Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal franchise has been a hit at the box office. The third instalment of the Ajay Devgn-led comedy franchise faced competition from Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai’s time travel drama Action Replayy but emerged victorious by a huge margin.
5. Golmaal Returns Vs Fashion (2008): Before that, Golmaal Returns clashed with Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion. While Golmaal Returns featured an ensemble cast of Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad Warsi and Shreyas Talpade, Fashion was banked on by Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut. Both films performed well at the box office.
6. Om Shanti Om Vs Saawariya (2007): Another box office face-off that fans were eager to witness put Shah Rukh Khan against Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Farah Khan’s directorial venture Om Shanti Om, which had SRK and Deepika Padukone in lead roles, was a big hit. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya, the debut of Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor, failed to meet expectations.
7. Don Vs Jaan-E-Mann (2006): Another well-known box office battle in Diwali occurred in 2006 when Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra featured in the modern adaptation of Amitabh Bachchan’s classic Don. The film faced Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Akshay Kumar’s Jaan-E-Mann. Don zoomed past Jaan-E-Mann‘s total collection by a wide margin.
8. Veer Zaara Vs Aitraaz (2004): On November 12, Veer Zaara and Aitraaz released on the same day. While Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta’s film emerged victorious in this Diwali competition, Akshay Kumar’s film also performed rather well at the box office.
9. Mohabbatein Vs Mission Kashmir (2000): Mohabbatein and Mission Kashmir faced stiff competition from each other during its theatrical run. Both movies had a lot going for them and fans’ excitement to watch Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan on the big screen was at its peak. Mohabbatein and Mission Kashmir turned out to be the second and third highest grossers of the year respectively.
10. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Vs Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998): Released on Diwali in 1998, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai featured Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji in lead roles. It was released with Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda’s comedy Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Ultimately, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan got a strong opening in theatres due to its mass appeal but Kuch Kuch Hota Hai went on to become a cultural phenomenon and earned more than David Dhawan’s film.
