All hail the king: 'Jawan' beats 'Pathaan,' becomes top Indian film of 2023

Shah Rukh's toughest competition is Shah Rukh himself, it seems

In a thrilling showdown at the Indian box office, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's latest film, Jawan, has outperformed his earlier release, Pathaan, securing the top spot among Indian films in 2023.

Jawan, a captivating tale of a father-son duo determined to combat corruption in Indian society, opened on September 7 with a record-breaking Bollywood opening day. It has since amassed a staggering $130.3 million, surpassing the $126 million earned by Pathaan, which hit theatres in January, Variety reported. 

This dynamic performance has placed Jawan and Pathaan in the fifth and sixth positions, respectively, on the all-time Indian box office chart. At the summit, Aamir Khan's Dangal (2016) reigns supreme with an impressive $244 million, largely bolstered by its phenomenal success in China, followed closely by S.S. Rajamouli's Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) with $219 million and the recent sensation RRR (2022) with $159 million. Prashant Neel's K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022) rounds out the top five with an impressive $151 million.

The stage is set for an epic year-end clash as Prashant Neel's Salaar, featuring Baahubali star Prabhas, goes head-to-head with Shah Rukh's upcoming venture, Dunki, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, both scheduled for release on December 22. This will be King Khan's third 2023 release. While Salaar promises high-octane action, Dunki brings comedy and drama to the forefront.

Rajkumar's track record as a hitmaker is impeccable, with a portfolio that includes blockbuster franchises like Munna Bhai with Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi, Sanju starring Ranbir Kapoor, and megahits like PK and 3 Idiots, both featuring Aamir. PK and Sanju secure positions at ninth and fifteenth place, respectively, on India's all-time box office chart.

Meanwhile, Indian audiences are showing a strong appetite for comedy, as Excel Entertainment's Fukrey 3, part of the successful franchise, enjoyed a commendable opening weekend with earnings of $6.6 million. With a holiday in India on Gandhi's birthday promising a robust Monday, the film appears set to continue its successful run.

The Indian box office is alive with the magic of cinema, and Shah Rukh's Jawan has emerged as a spectacular highlight in this year's cinematic journey, proving once again why he is Bollywood's reigning king.

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