K Asif’s magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam was the highest grossing Indian film when it released and even today, when adjusted for inflation, it remains that. The film earned Rs 11 crore in 1960, which translates to a whopping Rs 3650 crore today
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Mughal-e-Azam released at a time when tickets were priced under Re 1. The corresponding figure today is over Rs 200. But Mughal-e-Azam sold more tickets than any other film in India, with footfalls of several crore
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Mughal-e-Azam set several records when it released. The demand for tickets was so high that one lakh people queued outside Maratha Mandir in Mumbai, with some tickets selling in black for Rs 100. In many theatres, the film ran housefull for three years
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Starring Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Prithviraj Kapoor, Durga Khote, and Ajit, Mughal-e-Azam was a historical epic, fictionalising the rebellion of Mughal prince Salim against his father Emperor Akbar. Made in Rs 1.5 crore, it was the most expensive Indian film at the time
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As per Box Office India, Mughal-e-Azam sold 10 crore tickets in India, more than the combined figure of recent all-time blockbusters like RRR (4.4 crore) and Jawan (3.9 crore). Its inflation-adjusted gross of Rs 3650 crore is higher than the combined earning of Animal (Rs 900 crore), RRR (Rs 1387 crore), and Kalki 2898 AD (Rs 1040 crore)
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No other Indian film crosses Rs 3000 crore when adjusted for inflation save Mughal-e-Azam. However, Sholay does come close at Rs 2800 crore. Other films that cross Rs 2000 crore after inflation adjustment are Dangal, Baahubali 2, Mother India, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
