The year started off with a bang as actor Shah Rukh Khan’s big comeback, Pathaan, lived up to its hype. However, it’s been a mixed bag in terms of the releases that followed. Trade expert Atul Mohan says, “Pathaan was an emotional hit. People just wanted to watch it to show support to Shah Rukh, who was going through a rough patch personally.”

A handful of films worked, but a bigger number didn’t. Family films and those in the romcom space, such as Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and now, Satyaprem Ki Katha — which is still in its first week — worked. This hints at the fact that mid-segment movies are back to support tentpole films such as Pathaan.

“That was necessary, as mid-segment films are what keep the box office in the green. They keep people coming to cinemas till the time a big film releases,” says exhibitor Akshaye Rathi.

While the Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon-starrer Shehzada didn’t meet expectations, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan — led by Salman Khan — made on a production cost of Rs. 150 crore, also didn’t earn as expected.

But, trade expert Taran Adarsh feels the “biggest disappointment of 2023 has been Adipurush”. The Prabhas-led epic, which incurred a production cost of Rs. 500 crore, had its fate sealed from the big drop on its first Monday after release, clouded by controversy and backlash over its dialogues.

Star-led projects such as Akshay Kumar’s Selfiee and Ajay Devgn’s Bholaa also disappointed. But, then came The Kerala Story on May 5 that proved to be a winner. Its director, Sudipto Sen, says: “Small, realistic films are creating a new ecosystem. People are connecting more to them. The ones with an organic connection are the ones working.”

Budget: Rs. 240 cr

Lifetime: Rs. 512 cr

(ALL INDIA FIGURES ACCORDING TO BOX OFFICE INDIA AND TRADE ESTIMATES)