November1, 2024: When it comes to Diwali releases, Shah Rukh Khan is often celebrated as the reigning king, having delivered memorable festival blockbusters from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to Happy New Year. Yet, the title of the biggest Diwali box office hit in Indian cinema history surprisingly does not belong to him. Instead, it’s held by a classic action film that caused such a frenzy that fans camped outside theaters, eagerly waiting for tickets.
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The Ultimate Diwali Box Office Success
Released on October 27, 1978, just days before Diwali, Prakash Mehra’s Muqaddar Ka Sikandar became an instant sensation. Featuring Amitabh Bachchan in a role that cemented his superstardom, the movie quickly became the highest-grossing film of the year, earning a remarkable ₹17 crore in India at the time.
Adjusted for inflation, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar would have earned over ₹800 crore in 2024, outperforming recent blockbusters like Pathaan, Jawan, Animal, and Gadar 2, which have domestic collections ranging from ₹520-640 crore. According to IMDb, the film sold an astonishing 7 crore tickets in India, a feat only matched by Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion since. By comparison, modern hits like Animal and Jawan have sold 3-4 crore tickets domestically.
This historic Diwali success is a testament to the lasting appeal of Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and the timeless charisma of Amitabh Bachchan, proving that certain classics are simply irreplaceable.
