From ‘Dangal’ to ‘Drishyam 3’: Indian Films That Earned More Overseas Than at the Domestic Box Office

Hollywood movies “Michael” and “The Devil Wears Prada 2” have emerged as global box office successes. Interestingly, both films have performed significantly better in the international markets than in North America. The Michael Jackson biopic has so far collected $789.24 million worldwide, out of which $468.13 million comes from the international markets, accounting for more than 60% of its global earnings. Meanwhile, “The Devil Wears Prada” sequel has also witnessed a stronger traction internationally, where it has collected $408 million, nearly double its domestic business of $200.02 million.

A similar trend is currently being witnessed in India, too. Mohanlal’s “Drishyam 3,” which released in theatres last Thursday, has been earning more overseas than at the Indian box office. The suspense thriller has collected Rs 61.80 crore in five days at the domestic box office, while its overseas gross has crossed Rs 84 crore gross overseas, marking nearly 40% higher than its domestic business.

However, “Drishyam 3” is not the only film to outperform its domestic business internationally. Over the years, several Hindi films have recorded stronger overseas collections, proving the growing influence of Indian cinema in global markets. Here’s a look at the Hindi movies that performed better overseas than at the domestic box office.

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From ‘Dangal’ to ‘Drishyam 3’: Indian Films That Earned More Overseas Than at the Domestic Box Office

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Dangal

Aamir Khan’s 2016 sports drama remains the highest-grossing Indian film even after a decade of its release. All thanks to its historic success in China. While the Nitesh Tiwari directorial collected Rs 387.38 crore in India — the biggest Hindi grosser till that time — it went on to earn three times its domestic total in China alone, earning $193 million (nearly 1243 crore). Overall, the film collected 1535.30 crore overseas for a staggering worldwide total of 2070.30 crore and remains the only film to surpass the 2000 crore gross globally.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan

When Salman Khan decided to take a young mute Pakistani girl back to her homeland to reunite her with her family in Kabir Khan’s “Bajrangi Bhaijaan,” the film resonated deeply, not only in India and Pakistan but also in China. After its blockbuster run with Rs 320.34 crore net at the domestic box office, the film went on to release in China a year later, in October 2017 and made a remarkable $45.53 million (about Rs 296.50 crore) there. Total overseas contribution stood at Rs 489.71 crore for a worldwide total of Rs 922.17 crore gross.

Andhadhun

Sriram Raghavan’s mystery thriller starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Radhika Apte made just Rs 74.32 crore net at the Indian box office, but its fortunes changed dramatically after its release in China. The film earned a staggering Rs 327 crore ($47.11 million) from China alone upon its release in April 2019, taking its worldwide total to Rs 442.72 crore, and becoming one of the most remarkable sleeper hits in Indian cinema.

Dilwale

Shah Rukh Khan commands the biggest fan following overseas. Even though Rohit Shetty’s action entertainer was tagged an underperformer at the box office despite collecting Rs 148.42 crore, the film performed extremely well in international markets, contributing Rs 176 crore overseas for a worldwide gross of Rs 388 crore. It performed the best in the UAE ($4.97 million), followed by Malaysia ($3.53 million) and the UK ($3.17 million).

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani

Karan Johar’s romantic comedy starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt accumulated Rs 175 crore gross overseas — Rs 22 crore more than its domestic business of Rs 153.55 crore net. Its incredible business in the UAE ($2.74 million) and the UK ($2.51 million) helped the film achieve a remarkable worldwide total of Rs 357.50 crore gross.

My Name Is Khan

Shah Rukh Khan’s “My Name Is Khan” was termed a disappointment at the Indian box office, but it performed significantly better overseas. While the Karan Johar-directed human drama earned Rs 82.78 crore net in India, it collected Rs 112.65 crore overseas for a grand worldwide total of Rs 224.40 crore gross. Irrespective of its performance at the box office, the film continues to be regarded as one of the most acclaimed collaborations between Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar.

Hichki

Rani Mukerji’s “Hichki” received a limited theatrical run in India, but found massive success in China. The Siddharth P Malhotra-directed comedy-drama collected Rs 157 crore ($4.21 million) in China alone — more than three times its domestic business of Rs 45.82 crore net. With Rs 236.48 crore gross worldwide, “Hichki” remains the biggest solo box office success of Rani Mukerji’s career, globally.