Biggest Movie Clashes in the History: Clashes have been a testament to the diverse cinematic tastes of the Indian audience, and the growing stature of regional cinema as well. These battles not only make for exciting conjecture, but also emphasize that content is indeed the king in Indian cinema. Here are some of the biggest clashes in the history of Indian cinema, that captured everyone’s attention:
7 Biggest Movie Clashes in the History of Indian Cinema:
“Dil” vs “Ghayal” [1990]
Both films came out on the same day and went on to become superhits. However, while Aamir Khan and Madhuri Dixit’s love story “Dil” appealed to the romantic in every movie-goer, Sunny Deol’s action-packed drama “Ghayal” resonated with audiences looking for a more intense cinematic experience. “Ghayal” eventually won seven Filmfare Awards and also bagged the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Also read: Why Adipurush’s success is necessary [for both critics and supporters]
“Lamhe” vs “Phool aur Kaante” [1991]
Now this is one eponymous clash not many know about. On one side was Yash Chopra, all set to outdo himself with a rather unique take on human relationships, starring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi in pivotal roles.
On the other hand, Kuku Kohli, a popular director out to try his luck with a newbie, Ajay Devgn. Many tried to convince him not to do so, but Kuku was adamant, and both films released one after the other, “Lamhe” releasing on 21 November while “Phool aur Kaante” releasing on the 22nd of November.
While Lamhe managed to save its face by its overseas revenue, “Phool aur Kaante”, being raw and rustic, became a runaway hit. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why Ajay Devgn has never been cast in a YRF movie till date!
“Gadar: Ek Prem Katha” vs “Lagaan” [2001]
This is perhaps one of the most memorable Bollywood clashes. On one side, there was Anil Sharma’s “Gadar: Ek Prem Katha,” a melodrama set during the partition of India with Sunny Deol and Amisha Patel. On the other side, there was Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Lagaan,” a unique combination of cricket and colonialism featuring Aamir Khan. Both films were blockbusters, but “Gadar” edged ahead in terms of box office numbers due to its mass appeal. Despite this, “Lagaan” walked away with critical acclaim, international recognition, and an Oscar nomination.
“Sivaji: The Boss” vs “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom” [2007]
Rajnikanth’s “Sivaji: The Boss” and Amitabh Bachchan’s “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom” had clashed at the box office. While the former was an all Rajini show, the latter was Shaad Ali’s next directorial venture after two back-to-back blockbusters, viz. “Saathiya” and “Bunty aur Babli”.
However, in this clash, “Sivaji” ultimately emerged victorious, all thanks to Rajini’s magnetic performance and the film’s larger than life production values. Shaad could never recover from this setback, and has hardly delivered a good film since then.
“Dilwale” vs “Bajirao Mastani” [2015]
“Dilwale,” a Rohit Shetty film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, clashed with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s historical epic “Bajirao Mastani,” starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Priyanka Chopra. Despite “Dilwale” having the successful SRK-Kajol pairing, “Bajirao Mastani” emerged victorious at the box office due to its cinematic grandeur and strong performances.
“Kaabil” vs “Raees” [2017]
In this clash, Hrithik Roshan’s “Kaabil” came face to face with Shah Rukh Khan’s “Raees.” Both movies were well-received, but “Raees” managed to have a higher box office collection, mainly due to Shah Rukh’s vast fanbase and the film’s unique storyline.
Also read: Gadar 2: Sunny Deol has a huge legacy to carry forward
“ZERO” vs “KGF: Chapter 1” [2018]
This clash proved that Pan India films were not a “flash in the pan”. Despite a failure like “Jab Harry Met Sejal”, the analysts had left no stone unturned to make sure that Shahrukh’s latest flick with Aanand L Rai. They dismissed the potential challenge from Prashanth Neel’s “KGF: Chapter 1”, since SRK was anyday bigger than a regional star Naveen Raj Gowda, aka Rocking Star Yash.
However, 21 December 2018 dispelled all the notions. Despite the fanfare created, “ZERO” actually stayed true to its name, while “KGF: Chapter 1”, despite having all the tropes for a typical Bollywood masala potboiler, managed to surprise everyone with their filming techniques, and their own set of narrative. The rest, as they say, is history.
It’s clear that movie clashes are a double-edged sword. They create an air of excitement and anticipation among the audience, but also divide the revenue. However, it’s not always the star power that decides the winner; the content, script, and performances play a significant role in determining which film will emerge victorious.
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