In a time when big-budget action films and mass entertainers dominate the box office, Saiyaara, a romantic drama starring two newcomers has taken everyone by surprise. The film crossed a whopping ₹100 crore in its first weekend, and that too without any A-list stars or franchise pull.
Post-COVID, very few films have managed to get audiences back to theatres in big numbers. And most of those successes have come from action-heavy or masala films. So, for a love story with fresh faces to do these kinds of numbers? That’s a big deal.
The Rise of a Number-Driven Industry
In 2008, Aamir Khan’s Ghajini shattered box office records and introduced a new era in Hindi cinema, ushering in what would famously be known as the ₹100 crore club. A remake of a successful South Indian film, Ghajini. For the first time, a Hindi film crossed the ₹100 crore net mark at the domestic box office.
Ghajini’s roaring success quickly evolved into a benchmark for commercial success, especially for big-banner, celebrity-led films. In the eyes of trade analysts and the media, crossing this threshold became synonymous with a film’s credibility, regardless of its content, reviews, or artistic merit.
The industry’s relationship with the ₹100 crore club grew more intense over the years. Leading stars, producers, and studios felt the mounting pressure to deliver not just good cinema, but financially bankable hits. A well-made film that failed to reach the ₹100 crore mark was often dismissed as ‘average’ or ‘flop.’
‘THE 100 CRORE CLUB’ – More Than Just Numbers
The ₹100 crore club has long been Bollywood’s success metric. Saiyaara’s performance has re-started debates about what really defines a hit in Bollywood today: content or collections?
Actor-producer Arshad Warsi once criticized the club, saying, “I find this whole ₹100 crore club very stupid. How can every film suddenly do ₹100 crores? We need to focus on good cinema instead.”
Indeed, not every story needs a grand scale or star power to be impactful. Films like Andhadhun, Piku, and Masaan might not have crossed ₹100 crore, but they remain memorable.
The Other Side: Quality Through Competition?
Still, others argue that the ₹100 crore club serves a purpose. It pushes filmmakers to invest in scale, quality, and global appeal. With rising production budgets and increased competition from Hollywood and regional cinema, some believe the benchmark ensures higher standards and market viability.
A Genre Many Thought Was Gone
Bollywood has always had a soft corner for romance. From DDLJ to Aashiqui 2, these stories have been the heartbeat of our cinema. But somewhere over the past few years, with the rise of pan-India action films and thrillers, the space for heartfelt romantic dramas had started to shrink.
But films like Metro…In Dino, a sequel to Life in a…Metro, also created buzz for their grounded, emotional narratives. The response suggests viewers are ready to return to theatres for love stories that stir emotions rather than just adrenaline rush.
Son of Sardaar 2 Postponed!
The makers of Son of Sardaar 2, starring Ajay Devgn, postponed their film’s release, allegedly to avoid a clash. That’s a telling move. Despite being led by a credible box office draw like Ajay Devgn and riding on the legacy of a commercially successful predecessor.
It also speaks to a larger sentiment, that audiences are now showing up for freshness, emotion, and storytelling, not just star power or action-packed franchises.
What Truly Makes a Film a ‘Hit’?
The debate has once again started. Is a film’s worth solely defined by its box office performance? Or does storytelling, originality, and emotional connection matter more in today’s evolving landscape?
In an age where streaming platforms, digital premieres, and word-of-mouth have reshaped how we watch and appreciate cinema, it might be time to revisit what success really means.