At the time of its release, ticket prices were just Rs 1.50, and there were only a few theatres across India. However due to it’s demand tickets were sold at whopping rates in black market.
Not long ago, films that grossed Rs 100 crore were considered major blockbusters but in today’s world, several big films are crossing the Rs 1,000 crore mark. Undoubtedly, this is largely due to inflation and rising ticket prices. However, if we adjust the earnings of classic Indian blockbusters for inflation, they dwarf the collections of even today’s top-grossing films. In fact, the highest-grossing film from the past, when adjusted for inflation would have made a staggering Rs 3,650 crore globally. Can you name this film?
Tickets sold at Rs 1.50, still became India’s highest-grossing film
The film we’re talking about is K. Asif’s magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam. After nearly a decade of production, it was released in 1960 and became an overwhelming success, grossing Rs 11 crore worldwide at the time. This made it the highest-grossing film of that era.
At the time of its release, ticket prices were just Rs 1.50, and there were only a few theatres across India. Adjusting for inflation in 2023, this amount would be close to Rs 3,650 crore, higher than any other Indian film to date. Mughal-e-Azam became a sensational hit after its release.
The demand for Mughal-e-Azam tickets was so high that many were sold on the black market for up to Rs 100, which would be approximately Rs 4,000 today. When comparing the all-time highest-grossing Indian films, Mughal-e-Azam remains firmly at the top.
If we factor in inflation, Mughal-e-Azam’s earnings from its single release have crossed Rs 3,000 crore. Following it on the list is Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay, which, adjusted for inflation, earned Rs 800 crore. Aamir Khan’s Dangal ranks third with a collection of Rs 2,650 crore, adjusted for inflation, based on the news reports of Forbes, The Hindu, Mint, and Business Standard.
About Mughal-e-Azam
Mughal-e-Azam, released in 1960, is a landmark Indian historical drama directed and produced by K. Asif. Starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, and Durga Khote, it tells the epic love story between Mughal Prince Salim (who later became Emperor Jahangir) and the court dancer Anarkali.
The film’s journey began in 1944 when Asif read Imtiaz Ali Taj’s play Anarkali, which was based on the reign of Emperor Akbar (1556-1605). The film features 12 songs, beautifully voiced by Lata Mangeshkar, and is often regarded as one of the greatest films in Hindi cinema history.