Top Box Office Couples in Bollywood Movies

A brief review of Bollywood

Bollywood has grown significantly over the last 5 years in terms of its reach, popularity, and profitability. It is estimated that the Indian film industry generated $2.5 billion in revenue in 2022, and this number is expected to continue to grow in the years to come.

Here are some of the key factors that have contributed to this growth:

The rise of digital streaming platforms. In the past, Bollywood films were only available to watch in theaters or on DVD. However, the rise of digital streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hotstar has made it possible for people all over the world to watch Bollywood films.
The growing popularity of Indian culture abroad. People and cultures from all over the world are fans of Bollywood, with particularly engaged fandoms in Russia, Germany, the UK, China, and Nigeria, in addition to the US.
The increasing production values of Bollywood films. Bollywood films are becoming more and more technically polished, with high-quality production values, making them appealing to audiences around the world.
The popularity of key (both established and emerging) talent. Bollywood is home to a number of talented actors, directors, and producers, considered superstars in India. Romance and action ensemble films reign supreme and talent match ups between hero and heroine or Bollywood icons drive buzz and fuel sales.

Bollywood films have achieved a number of box office firsts in the last 5 years.

In 2017, the film "Dangal" became the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, with a worldwide gross of over $300 million.
In 2018, the film "Padmaavat" became the first Indian film to gross over $100 million in China.
In 2022, the film "RRR" became the second Indian film to gross over $100 million in the United States, and made waves at the Academy Awards, winning for Best Song.

Methodology

A key factor in the success of Bollywood films is the popularity of the actors and actresses who star in them. Some of the most popular Bollywood actors and actresses have formed on-screen couples that have generated huge box office returns.

This white paper will explore some of the top box-office generating couples in Bollywood movies. The couples will be ranked based on the total box office revenue generated by their films, the popularity of their pairings, and other contributing factors to their enduring success such as critical reception and social media buzz.

The Couples

The top four box-office generating couples in Bollywood movies are:

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif
Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan
Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are two of the most popular actors in Bollywood. They have starred together in eight films, including "Ek Tha Tiger" (2012), "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" (2012), and "Tiger Zinda Hai" (2017). These films have collectively grossed over $1 billion at the box office worldwide.

The critical reception of the films that Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif have starred in together has been mixed. Some critics have praised their chemistry on-screen (fitting as the two dated from 2005 to 2010), while others have found their films to be formulaic and predictable.

Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif have a combined social media following of over 130 million followers. Khan has over 60 million followers on Instagram, while Kaif has over 70 million followers on Instagram.

Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan in Paheli (2005).

Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan are two of the biggest stars in Bollywood history. Bachchan alone has appeared in over 200 films and Khan over 90. Together, they have starred together in four films, including "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" (2001), "Paheli" (2005), and "Zero" (2018). These films have collectively grossed over $700 million at the box office worldwide.

The critical reception of the films that Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan have starred in together has been positive. Critics have praised their chemistry on-screen and their ability to carry big-budget films. The two individually are considered the biggest superstars in the history of Bollywood, so pairing the two greats has likely led to audiences eager to see their heroes on one screen together.

Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan have a combined social media following of over 60 million followers. Bachchan has over 30 million followers on Instagram, while Khan has over 39 million followers on Instagram.

Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in Chennai Express (2013).

Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan are two of the most successful actors in Bollywood today. They have starred in three films, including "Om Shanti Om" (2007), "Chennai Express" (2013), and "Happy New Year" (2014). These films have collectively grossed over $600 million at the box office worldwide.

The critical reception of the films that Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan have starred in together has been positive. Critics have praised their chemistry on-screen and their ability to entertain audiences. With Shah Rukh Khan being the reigning hero of Bollywood for 20 plus years, and Deepika Padukone being one of the most successful newer talents in Bollywood, this pairing was guaranteed to be a hit.

Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan have a combined social media following of over 100 million followers. Padukone has over 70 million followers on Instagram, while Khan has over 39 million followers on Instagram.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are one of the most popular couples in Bollywood today. Their chemistry onscreen and offscreen is undeniable, as they have been married since 2018 and have starred in five films together, including "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela" (2013), "Bajirao Mastani" (2015), and "Padmaavat" (2018). These films have collectively grossed over $700 million at the box office worldwide.

The critical reception of the films that Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have starred in together has been positive. Critics have praised their chemistry on-screen and their ability to bring characters to life. Both stars have also reached beyond Bollywood, with Padukone securing lucrative contracts with Louis Vuitton and inclusion in Time’s 100 most influential people in the world and Ranveer Singh gaining notice for his flamboyant fashion sense.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have a combined social media following of over 100 million followers. Padukone has over 70 million followers on Instagram, while Singh has over 40 million followers.

Conclusion

The most lucrative matches in Bollywood appear to reflect real life romance (Kaif & Khan, Padukone & Singh), a pairing of iconic greats of two generations (Bachchan & Khan), or coupling the top hero and heroines old and new (Khan & Padukone). With Bollywood box office being so talent-driven, analyzing casting is critical to predicting future success.

By seeking out new projects, talent to work with, and reinventing themselves, these stars have also demonstrated their ability to stay relevant over the years. In pursuit of the next great Bollywood hit, no doubt many of them will continue to thrive in the industry for years to come.

The value of onscreen chemistry