Bajrangi Bhaijaan was Bollywood's biggest hit this year.
The year 2015 hasn't seen too many Rs 100 crore grossers; only four films -- two of which are running in the theatres -- have managed to achieve this feat so far.
The good news is that one movie crossed the Rs 300 crore mark and one made it to the Rs 200 crore club. Both, unsurprisingly, have one thing in common -- Salman Khan.
Other than Salman, it has primarily been an Akshay Kumar year with three of his films making it to the Top 10 list.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Box office collection: Rs 321 crore
This film wasn't really blockbuster material.
After all, it didn't have Salman Khan in his quintessential larger-than-life avatar.
Nor did it have a typical hero-heroine romance between Salman and Kareena Kapoor Khan.
There wasn't any cross border jingoism either, a la Gadar: Ek Prem Katha.
Still, Salman and child artist Harshaali Malhotra ensured that Kabir Khan's vision impressed the masses and the classes in a big way.
Read the reviews here: Raja Sen/Sukanya Verma
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo
Box office collection: Rs 210 crore
The start was just perfect for Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. In fact, the highest opening day ever meant the film started on a solid note.
Though it didn't cover the mighty distance that was expected from a Salman Khan-Sooraj Barjatya combo, the fact remains that the film eventually crossed the Rs 200 crore mark at the box office.
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo saw a mixed response coming its way, but in the record books the film has been declared a hit.
Read the reviews here: Raja Sen / Sukanya Verma
Tanu Weds Manu Returns
Box office collection: Rs 152 crore
The biggest blockbuster of the year by all means, if one looks at the return on investment, Tanu Weds Manu Returns had a good start, as was expected from this medium budget sequel.
Such was its stranglehold that the audience came in hordes to watch what R Madhavan and Kangna Ranaut were up to this time around.
Bajirao Mastani
Box office collection: Rs 125 crore+ (expected)
This one has turned out to be a pleasant winner at the box office.
No one doubted the authenticity and class that Sanjay Leela Bhansali film would present on screen.
However, the big clash with Dilwale raised doubts as to how the Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra starrer would fare.
Turns out, the film not just managed to get better reviews but also fared well courtesy strong word of mouth.
Read the reviews here: Raja Sen / Sukanya Verma
Dilwale
Box office collection: Rs 125 crore+ (expected)
The film was meant to be The Blockbuster of 2015. The stage was set well for its release, though the clash with Bajirao Mastani meant the screens were divided.
As a result, it couldn't demonstrate its might at least in the opening weekend, which it could have had it arrived solo.
Dilwale has started well and, though reviews are mixed -- as they always are for a Rohit Shetty film -- it is expected. The film has three open weeks ahead to make moolah.
ABCD -- Any Body Can Dance, 2
Box office collection: Rs 107 crore
No one doubted that the Remo D'Souza directed sequel to his dance film ABCD would open well.
Moreover, the commercial prospect of the film brightened when Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor were added to the cast.
The film opened to a good response and sustained well enough to turn into a Rs 100 crore affair.
No wonder then, ABCD 3 is on the anvil.
Welcome Back
Box office collection: Rs 97 crore
A full-on entertainer, Welcome Back was long in the making and saw a troubled arrival. There was uncertainty around the size of its release and other logistical, production-related hassles.
However, what worked in the end was good content as Anees Bazmee upped the scale in the sequel to his 2007 superhit, Welcome.
With John Abraham joining Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar, it was a riot all over again.
Baby
Box office collection: Rs 95.5 crore
Easily the classiest action drama of the year, Baby garnered good reviews.
Akshay Kumar was brilliant as an intelligence officer and the film came with a good dose of thrills and patriotism which worked well with the audience.
This was one Neeraj Pandey flick that deserved to go beyond the Rs 100 crore mark. Though it didn't, it remains a film that will be remembered.
Singh Is Bling
Box office collection: Rs 89.5 crore
Even though Akshay Kumar releases as many as as three to four films a year, Singh Is Bling -- with an opening day collection of Rs 20 crore -- managed to get the star his best start ever.
The comic affair was a quickfire entertainer and made decent money.
For director Prabhu Deva, it was a respite of sorts after Action Jackson. His leading lady, Amy Jackson, too managed to see a revival of sorts in Bollywood.
Gabbar Is Back
Box office collection: Rs 87.5 crore
The third Akshay Kumar starrer to make it to the Top 10 list, Gabbar Is Back was as 'masala' as it gets.
Directed by Krish, the film both opened and sustained well.
Made at a moderate cost, it emerged as a winner for all who had invested in it.
It marked Akshay's return to hardcore action after a long time and the action star didn't disappoint.
