The Republic Day weekend has often been seen as a lucrative release window for Bollywood, with producers aiming to capitalize on the patriotic fervor and extended holidays. However, while a few films have soared to mint big money on the National holiday, there are many others that have struggled to deliver blockbuster results despite the promising date. Let’s examine the performance of notable Republic Day releases, their budgets, and box office collections, to determine whether this weekend is truly the success formula it is believed to be.
Pathaan (2023)
Republic Day Collection: Rs 70.5 crores Budget: Rs 250 crores Release Date: January 25, 2023
Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan is the exception to the rule. Released during the Republic Day weekend in 2023, the film shattered box office records, earning Rs 70.5 crores on Republic day. Riding on SRK’s much-awaited comeback, a high-octane action narrative, and massive pre-release hype, Pathaan proved that a well-crafted film with star power and strong marketing could redefine the potential of this release window. The Yash Raj Films production became one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of all time, grossing over Rs 1000 crores globally.
Fighter (2024)
Republic Day Collection: Rs 39.50 crores Budget: Rs 350 croresRelease Date: January 25, 2024
Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone’s Fighter, though a significant draw, fell short of expectations, with a Republic Day collection of Rs 39.50 crores but the film went into a downward spiral. Despite its massive budget and stellar cast, the aerial action drama struggled to maintain the momentum of previous Republic Day hits. While Fighter performed decently, it highlighted the unpredictability of the Republic Day weekend, where even a star-studded film is not guaranteed a roaring success.
Padmaavat (2018)
Republic Day Collection: Rs 32 crores Budget: Rs 215 croresRelease Date: January 25, 2018
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus Padmaavat faced significant challenges, including political controversies and delays. Despite the obstacles, it managed an impressive Rs 32 crore collection on Republic Day. The film’s grandeur, coupled with stellar performances by Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh, contributed to its eventual success. However, the path to profitability was riddled with hurdles, showcasing the risk involved even for a film of this scale.
Agneepath (2012)
Republic Day Collection: Rs 23 crores Budget: Rs 60 croresRelease Date: January 26, 2012
A remake of the 1990 cult classic, Agneepath was a commercial success, earning Rs 23 crores on its first day. Hrithik Roshan’s intense portrayal, along with Sanjay Dutt’s menacing Kancha Cheena, resonated with audiences. Made on a moderate budget of Rs 60 crores, the film’s profitability highlighted that a compelling narrative and strong performances could deliver results, even without an extravagant budget.
Raees (2017)
Republic Day Collection: Rs 26.30 crores Budget: Rs 127 croresRelease Date: January 25, 2017
Starring Shah Rukh Khan as a bootlegger in Gujarat, Raees opened to Rs 26.30 crores on Republic Day. Despite SRK’s star power and a gripping storyline, the film faced stiff competition from Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil. While Raees managed to turn a profit, its performance was dampened by the clash, underscoring the risks of crowding this release window.
Jai Ho (2014)
Republic Day Collection: Rs 24.27 crores Budget: Rs 75 crores Release Date: January 24, 2014
Salman Khan’s Jai Ho was expected to set the box office ablaze, as it earned t Rs 24.27 crore on Republic Day, the film went on to earn more than Rs 100 crore at the box office but didn’t meet audience expectations. The film’s socially conscious message and action sequences failed to click with audiences the way Salman’s previous outings had. Despite being made on a controlled budget, Jai Ho was considered underwhelming for a Khan-led film, proving that star power alone isn’t enough to guarantee success.
Race 2 (2013)
Republic Day Collection: Rs 15.45 crores Budget: Rs 94 crores Release Date: January 25, 2013
The second installment of the Race franchise, Race 2 minted Rs 15.45 crores on the National holiday. While the film’s glossy production and ensemble cast drew initial crowds, it failed to generate long-term buzz. Its performance highlighted the challenge of sustaining interest during the Republic Day weekend, especially when relying heavily on style over substance.
Airlift (2016)
Republic Day Collection: Rs 17.80 crores Budget: Rs 60 crores Release Date: January 22, 2016
Akshay Kumar’s Airlift was a sleeper hit, starting with a modest Rs 17.80 crores on Republic Day. The patriotic drama, based on the true story of India’s evacuation of its citizens from Kuwait during the Gulf War, gradually gained momentum through word-of-mouth. Its success underscored that content-driven films could carve a niche during this period, even without a massive opening.
Kaabil (2017)
Opening Day Collection: Rs 18.70 crores Budget: Rs 50 croresRelease Date: January 25, 2017
Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil released alongside Raees, and its Republic day collection of Rs 18.70 crores reflected the impact of the clash. Despite positive reviews for Hrithik’s performance as a visually impaired man seeking revenge, the film struggled to match the competition, highlighting the perils of sharing the Republic Day weekend with another big release.
Street Dancer 3D (2020)
Opening Day Collection: Rs 17.76 crores Budget: Rs 5 croresRelease Date: January 24, 2020
The dance drama Street Dancer 3D, featuring Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor, failed to set the box office on fire but on Republic Day it did see a spike in its collection as it earned Rs 17.76 crore. Despite its youthful appeal and elaborate dance sequences, the film’s lack of a compelling narrative led to its underwhelming performance.
Is Republic Day a Risky Bet?
With the exception of Pathaan, the Republic Day weekend has been a mixed bag for Bollywood. While films like Padmaavat, Agneepath, and Airlift managed to find success, others like Jai Ho, Race 2, and Street Dancer 3D failed to meet expectations. Several factors contribute to this inconsistency:
- Content-Driven vs. Star Power: Content-driven films like Airlift have fared better in this window compared to star-driven projects like Jai Ho or Race 2.
- High Expectations: The patriotic sentiment associated with the weekend sets high expectations for films, which can backfire if the content doesn’t resonate.
The Test of 2025: Sky Force
This Republic Day, Akshay Kumar returns with Sky Force, a big-budget aerial action drama featuring Veer Pahariya, Nimrat Kaur, and Sara Ali Khan. With Akshay’s history of delivering patriotic films and the fresh appeal of a young cast, expectations are high. However, given the inconsistent track record of Republic Day releases, Sky Force will face the ultimate test of whether this weekend can truly deliver consistent success.
As history has shown, while the Republic Day weekend offers potential, it is far from a guaranteed success date. Only time will tell if Sky Force can break the trend and soar to box office glory.