Yes, Pathaan officially surpassed Baahubali 2 to become the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time in terms of its nett collection within India. This monumental achievement marked a significant moment in Indian cinema history.
Siddharth Anand's Pathaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham, embarked on a record-breaking journey at the Indian box office. Its exceptional performance allowed it to dethrone S.S. Rajamouli's epic Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (Hindi version), which had held the coveted title for several years.
The Box Office Showdown: Pathaan's Historic Run
Pathaan's success was a major comeback for Bollywood, especially following the challenges posed by the pandemic. The film's Hindi collection demonstrated immense audience enthusiasm, setting new benchmarks for commercial success. This achievement was widely acknowledged, with even the co-producers of Baahubali 2 reacting to Pathaan breaking their film's long-standing record.
Here's a comparison of the key Hindi box office figures:
| Film | Hindi Nett Box Office Collection (INR Crore) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pathaan | 513.75 (as of its record-breaking point) | Bollywood Hungama |
| Baahubali 2 (Hindi) | 510.99 | Bollywood Hungama |
(Note: Box office figures can vary slightly based on different reporting agencies; the figures above represent the net collection in India for the Hindi version of the films.)
Key Milestones and Impact
The surpassing of Baahubali 2's record by Pathaan highlights several important aspects of the Indian film industry:
- Highest-Grossing Hindi Film: Pathaan's Hindi collection of Rs 513.75 crore (net) solidified its position as the top Hindi earner.
- Dethroning a Giant: Baahubali 2 (Hindi), with its collection of Rs 510.99 crore, had previously set a very high bar, making Pathaan's achievement even more remarkable.
- Revitalization of Bollywood: The film's success provided a much-needed boost to the Hindi film industry, demonstrating that big-screen spectacles can still draw massive crowds.
- Pan-India Appeal: While Baahubali 2 was originally a Telugu film released in multiple languages, its Hindi version performed exceptionally well. Pathaan, a direct Hindi production, proved its own widespread appeal across different demographics.
Why This Achievement Matters
This box office milestone is significant for several reasons:
- It showcased the enduring star power of its lead actors.
- It reaffirmed the audience's appetite for large-scale action entertainers.
- It signaled a strong recovery for the theatrical business in the post-pandemic era.
- The competition at the box office drives producers to invest in higher quality content and production values, ultimately benefiting the viewers.
