The Diwali season has long been a coveted release window for Bollywood filmmakers, often leading to clashes between major productions vying for box office dominance. These high-stakes face-offs have become a recurring theme in the industry, captivating audiences and impacting the financial fortunes of the films involved. This year, the tradition continues with Ayushmann Khurrana's "Thamma" and Harshvardhan Rane's "Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat" releasing on the same day.
One of the most talked-about Diwali clashes in recent memory occurred in 2012, when Yash Chopra's romantic drama "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" (starring Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Anushka Sharma) was released alongside Ajay Devgn's action-comedy "Son of Sardaar". The competition between the two films was fierce, marked by legal notices and heated exchanges between the producers regarding screen allocation. Despite the controversy, both films performed well at the box office, with "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" earning over ₹100 crore and "Son of Sardaar" raking in around ₹88 crore.
In 2016, Ajay Devgn was again at the center of a major Diwali clash, this time with Karan Johar. Devgn's directorial venture, "Shivaay," competed against Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,". Both films garnered significant attention, but "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" ultimately emerged as the frontrunner, crossing over ₹237 crore at the box office, while "Shivaay" finished with ₹124 crore.
Other notable Diwali clashes include the 2007 battle between Farah Khan's "Om Shanti Om" (starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone) and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Saawariya" (introducing Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor). "Om Shanti Om" proved to be the clear winner, earning ₹78 crore, while "Saawariya" struggled with just ₹20 crore. In 2006, Shah Rukh Khan's "Don" remake clashed with Salman Khan's "Jaan-E-Mann," with "Don" taking the lead.
The impact of these Diwali clashes extends beyond mere box office numbers. They often influence public perception, shape career trajectories, and even spark controversies within the industry. The stakes are high, and the outcomes can have lasting consequences.
This year, the horror-comedy "Thamma," featuring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, is generating considerable buzz, particularly for its advance bookings. However, the romantic drama "Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat" is expected to draw its own audience. According to reports, "Thamma" has already sold approximately 121,086 tickets, estimating to collect ₹3.43 crore on its first day, while "Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat" has sold 46,840 tickets estimating to collect ₹1.28 crore. As both films hit theaters, it remains to be seen which one will capture the hearts of the audience and emerge victorious in this Diwali box office showdown.
