Since the pandemic hit four years ago, there has been a tectonic shift in the way cinema content is consumed worldwide. The proliferation of OTT has made the job tougher and more challenging for theatrical films. But even in this changed climate, there are filmmakers and stars who have managed to deliver hits consistently. And while Ranbir Kapoor, Prabhas, Shah Rukh Khan, and Rajinikanth have all done wonders at the box office in the last couple of years, one star has outdone them all.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

The star who beat SRK, Salman, Prabhas, Ranbir

Since the beginning of 2023, Deepika Padukone has appeared in four films in full-length or substantial roles. All four have been successful at the box office, grossing a combined Rs 3200 crore worldwide. This is the most any Indian star has earned in the last two years. Shah Rukh Khan comes in next with a combined box office haul of Rs 2700 crore. Others like Prabhas, Ram Charan, Jr NTR, Yash, and Ranbir Kapoor follow with box office gross between Rs 1000 and Rs 2000 crore.

Deepika Padukone’s purple patch at the box office

Since the pandemic, Deepika has been enjoying a good run at the box office. Her first film after the lockdowns opened was 83, which earned a below-par Rs 193 crore. This was followed by an OTT release in Gehraiyaan. But post-that, it has all been green for Deepika. She partnered Shah Rukh Khan in his two comeback films in 2023 – Pathaan and Jawan – which earned Rs 1050 crore and Rs 1150 crore respectively. Her first release in 2024 – Fighter – earned Rs 337 crore worldwide. And now, she has been basking in the success of Kalki 2898 AD, which has already grossed over Rs 650 crore in just a week, and is expected to cross Rs 1000 crore before it ends its run.

Deepika Padukone’s upcoming films

Currently, among all film actresses in India, Deepika remains the highest-paid, charging in excess of Rs 20 crore per project. The actress will be next seen in Singham Again in an extended cameo, a role that is likely to get its own spinoff. She also has future instalments of the YRF Spy Universe in her kitty as well as a rumoured sequel of Brahmastra. These promising films can take her stellar box office record even further.

The DNA app is now available for download on the Google Play Store. Please download the app and share your feedback with us.