The re-release trend has been in existence since the pandemic but it became quite significant this year. Rockstar was re-released when theatres were starved of biggies and the experiment worked big time. Laila Majnu soon arrived in cinemas and it did more than 3 times than its original run. Tumbbad, however, took the cake. Its re-release was marketed as if it were a fresh release. The effort paid dividends as Tumbbad collected more than many significant big new releases of 2024 like Merry Christmas, Crakk, Laapataa Ladies, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Kill, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, Ulajh, Vedaa, etc.
In this special feature, we’ll take a look at the top re-release grossers of 2024. Tumbbad took the cake with its collections of Rs. 32 crores. The film had an unbelievable run and it’ll be difficult for any re-release to match its earnings in the near future. It’s the only film to collect more than Rs. 10 crores; the next big grosser collected 25% of Tumbbad’s re-release earnings.
Laila Majnu came next followed by Rockstar. The Ranbir Kapoor-starrer started on a slow note and then grew with each passing week. Kal Ho Naa Ho’s re-release took the fourth position and the videos of viewers dancing to ‘Mahi Ve’ added to the curiosity and increased its collections.
Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, like Tumbbad, Rockstar and Laila Majnu, underperformed on its original release and then earned a cult status. The R Madhavan-Dia Mirza collected Rs. 4 crores, which is close to what it earned in 2001 (Rs. 5.52 crores).
Veer-Zaara, too, sprang a surprise when it released around its 20th anniversary and collected Rs. 3.15 crores. Jab We Met is an evergreen re-release film which always manages to bring numbers. It collected Rs. 1 crore and so did Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Incidentally, the Ranbir Kapoor-Deepika Padukone starrer will re-release yet again on January 3, 2025. Meanwhile, a lot was expected from Karan Arjun but it collected Rs. 1 crore.
The rest of the re-released films this year were Love Aaj Kal, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Tujhe Meri Kasam, Taal, Pardes, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, Biwi No 1, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Chak De! India, Dil To Pagal Hai, Darr, Baazigar, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Khiladi, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Tamasha, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Gangs Of Wasseypur, Wake Up Sid, Lamhe, Saathiya, Mohabbatein, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. As per information accessed by Bollywood Hungama, these films collectively earned approx. Rs. 2.50 crores.
In other words, the cumulative collection of re-releases in the domestic market is nearly Rs. 65 crores. Although half of the collections came through Tumbbad, it’s still an impressive figure, which makes it clear that 2025 will also see older films coming back to cinemas.
The collections of re-releases in 2024 in the domestic market:
- Tumbbad – Rs. 32 crores
- Laila Majnu – Rs. 8.50 crores
- Rockstar – Rs. 6 crores
- Kal Ho Naa Ho – Rs. 5.80 crores
- Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein – Rs. 4 crores
- Veer-Zaara – Rs. 3.15 crores
- Jab We Met – Rs. 1 crore
- Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani – Rs. 1 crore
- Karan Arjun – Rs. 1 crore
- Rest of the films – Rs. 2.50 crores
TOTAL – Rs. 64.95 crores
