Most Watched Bollywood Movies in Theatres

Highest Footfalls of Bollywood Movies: HAHK, Baahubali 2, DDLJ, Gadar and Border are the most watched Hindi movies in theatres.

These days the success of Bollywood movies is defined by earnings in crores it makes at the box office. However, this hasn’t been the case always. From the 1970s to the 1990s, the success of the Bollywood movie was judged by the number of weeks they sustain in theatres. With the evolution of cinema over the years, success parameters have changed.

However, there is one parameter which we think truly defines the success of the old and new movies. It is the footfalls. Footfalls are the number of tickets sold. In a way, it defines the number of people/times the movie has been watched. Let’s have a look at the list of the most-watched Bollywood movies in theatres based on footfalls.

Hum Aapke Hai Koun

Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit’s Hum Aapke Hai Koun is the most-watched movie in theatres since 1990s.

Release Date – 5 Aug 1994

Footfalls – 7,39,62,000

Baahubali 2

The Hindi version of Baahubali 2 recorded more than 5.25 Crore footfalls. It is the second most watched Hindi movie in theatres.

Release Date- 28 Apr 2017

Footfalls- 5,25,22,000

Gadar Ek Prem Katha

Sunny Deol’s action saga was a massive hit at the box office. It recorded more than 5 Crore footfalls.

Release Date- 15 Jun 2001

Footfalls- 5,05,73,000

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

SRK and Kajol’s romantic drama DDLJ is considered one of the best Bollywood movies of all time. Released in 1995, it recorded more than 4.5 Crore footfalls.

Release Date- 20 Oct 1995

Footfalls- 4,79,71,000

Raja Hindustani

Looks a surprise entry in the list but Raja Hindustani was a huge blockbuster when it released in theatres in 1996

Release Date- 11 Nov 1996

Footfalls- 4,09,75,000

Border

The best war movie in Bollywood, Border, is also on this list with 3.5+ Crore footfalls.

Release Date- 13 Jun 1997

Footfalls- 3,70,83,000

Dangal

Dangal recorded more than 3.5 Crore footfalls. It was the first Bollywood movies to cross Rs 350 Crore mark in India.

Release Date- 23 Dec 2016

Footfalls- 3,69,00,000

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Karan Johar’s debut movie was a bonafide box office blockbuster with footfalls more than 3.5 Crore.

Release Date- 16 Oct 1998

Footfalls- 3,56,58,000

Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Bajrangi Bhaijaan is Salman Khan’s most loved movie of the last decade. More than 3 Crore people watched it in theatres.

Release Date- 17 Jul 2015

Footfalls- 3,54,17,000

PK

Aamir Khan’s PK was the first Bollywood movie to earn Rs 300+ Crore in India.

Release Date- 19 Dec 2014

Footfalls- 3,50,61,000

Pathaan

Shah Rukh Khan made a huge comeback in 2023 with his spy thriller Pathaan went on to become the highest grossing Bollywood movie.

Release Date- 25 Jan 2023

Footfalls- 3,49,54,230

Gadar 2

Gadar 2, a sequel to blockbuster Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, created a havoc at the box office. It brings the audience back to theatres especially in mass centres.

Release Date- 11 Aug 2023

Footfalls- 3,34,00,030

Sultan

Salman Khan’s Sultan was a huge hit both in mass centres and multiplexes.

Release Date- 6 Jul 2016

Footfalls- 3,20,85,000

3 Idiots

3 Idiots was the first Bollywood movie to earn Rs 200+ Crore in India.

Release Date- 24 Dec 2009

Footfall- 3,17,85,000

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Another Shah Rukh Khan movie with more than 3 Crore footfalls.

Release Date- 14 Dec 2001

Footfalls- 3,11,73,000

Tiger Zinda Hai

Salna Khan’s fourth movie with more than 3 Crore footfalls.

Release Date- 22 Dec 2017

Footfalls- 3,08,89,000

Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai

Hrithik Roshan is the only actor to record more than 3 Crore foorfall with his debut movie.

Release Date- 14 Jan 2000

Footfalls- 3,06,63,000

Karan Arjun

Salman and Shah Rukh Khan’s revenge reincarnation drama was a box office blockbuster.

Release Date- 13 Jan 1995

Footfalls- 2,99,13,000

Dhoom 3

Aamir Khan’s sleek action thriller was a box office hit despite mixed reviews.

Release Date- 20 Dec 2013

Footfalls- 2,97,93,000

Dil Toh Pagal Hai

Shah Rukh Khan. Madhuru Dixit and Karishma Kapoor starrer romantic saga was a box office hit.

Release Date- 31 Oct 1997

Footfalls- 2,95,12,000

Aankhen

Biggest box office hit for Govinda and David Dhawan.

Release Date- 9 Apr 1993

Footfalls- 2,85,52,000

Hum Saath Saath Hai

Biggest pure family entertainer of Bollywood.

Release Date- 5 Nov 1999

Footfalls- 2,85,18,000

Sanju

Ranbir Kapoor’s only movie in the list.

Release Date- 29 Jun 2018

Footfalls- 2,80,64,000

Mohabbatein

Another Shah Rukh Khan romantic drama with more than 2.5 Crore footfalls.

Release Date- 27 Oct 2000

Footfalls- 2,67,23,000

Kabir Singh

Shahid Kapoor’s only movie in the list. The biggest hit of his career.

Release Date- 21 June 2019

Footfalls- 2,60,00,000

Chennai Express

Another Shah Rukh Khan movie in the list.

Release Date- 8 Aug 2013

Footfalls- 2,52,27,000

Dabangg

Salman Khan’s first 100 Crore movie.

Release Date- 10 Sep 2010

Footfalls- 2,50,86,000

So, this is the list of most watched Bollywood movies. As you can see, movies released from 1995 to 2000 have higher viewership compared to the new movies. Digitization, piracy and the rise in satellite rights have played a major role in decline in footfalls over the years.

Source: Box Office India