Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, widely known as the 'Khiladi' of Hindi cinema, has established numerous box office records over a career spanning more than three decades. Between 1994 and 2023, the actor successfully entertained audiences across diverse genres, seamlessly transitioning between high-octane action, slapstick comedy, and poignant drama. While his filmography features dozens of successful projects, five films stand out as monumental milestones in terms of commercial earnings and widespread popularity. Comprising two massive blockbusters and three superhits, this select group includes a particularly memorable release from 2012 that continues to hold special status among cinema lovers.
Mohra (1994): The Turning Point in Early Career
Released in 1994, the action-thriller 'Mohra' served as a major turning point in Akshay Kumar's early career. Directed by Rajiv Rai, the film featured Akshay in the role of Inspector Amar Saxena, capturing public attention through his intense action sequences and distinct screen presence. The ensemble cast also included Suniel Shetty, Raveena Tandon, and veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. Chart-busting musical tracks such as 'Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast' and 'Tip Tip Barsa Pani' became nationwide phenomena that remain popular decades later. Produced on a modest budget of ₹3.75 crore, 'Mohra' achieved a staggering box office collection of ₹22 crore, securing its position as the second highest-grossing blockbuster of 1994.
Rowdy Rathore (2012): A Cult-Classic Mass Blockbuster
When assessing the most memorable mass entertainers in Akshay Kumar's career, the 2012 hit 'Rowdy Rathore' stands at the very top of the list. Directed by Prabhudeva, the action-comedy featured Akshay in a dual role as Vikram Rathore and Shiva, delivering a performance that resonated deeply with single-screen and multiplex audiences alike. Sonakshi Sinha played the lead female role opposite him. Punchy catchphrases like 'Don't Angry Me' and 'I Do What I Say' entered popular culture and remain famous to this day. Made on a budget of approximately ₹45 crore, the film generated over ₹133 crore in domestic net collections and crossed ₹200 crore in worldwide gross earnings, propelling the actor's career to new commercial heights as a certified blockbuster.
Housefull 4 (2019): Reincarnation Comedy That Shattered Records
The fourth installment of Bollywood's famous comedy franchise, 'Housefull 4', broke multiple theatrical records upon its release in 2019. Directed by Farhad Samji, the narrative revolved around a reincarnation comedy structure spanning two distinct timelines between the years 1419 and 2019. Akshay Kumar's impeccable comedic timing as 'Rajkumar Bala' along with the viral dance track 'Shaitan Ka Sala' became major highlights of the movie. Despite receiving mixed reviews from film critics, audiences turned out in large numbers at theaters across the country. Produced on a budget of around ₹75 crore, the film earned blockbuster status by collecting ₹205 crore domestically in India and achieving over ₹300 crore in worldwide gross revenues.
2.0 (2018): India's Grand Sci-Fi Cinematic Spectacle
The 2018 sci-fi thriller '2.0', directed by S. Shankar, remains one of the most expensive and visually grand productions in the history of Indian cinema. Sharing the screen with South Indian cinema's legendary superstar Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar took on the challenging anti-hero antagonist role of 'Pakshi Rajan'. His menacing VFX transformation combined with an aggressive yet sensitive portrayal of an avian lover drew immense appreciation from moviegoers. Mounted on a massive budget exceeding ₹500 crore, the cinematic spectacle grossed over ₹650 crore at the global box office. The film emerged as a major hit in both its Hindi and Tamil language releases, establishing itself as one of the highest-earning superhits in Akshay's filmography.
Good Newwz (2019): High-Earning Social Comedy-Drama
Released towards the end of the year on 27 December 2019, the comedy-drama 'Good Newwz' directed by Raj Mehta became another landmark commercial success. The film featured a star-studded lead quartet comprising Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Diljit Dosanjh, and Kiara Advani. Centered around the sensitive and unusual topic of an IVF sperm mix-up, the story balanced humor with emotional depth. Akshay played the role of Varun Batra, a sophisticated married man navigating a complex personal situation. Built on a production budget of approximately ₹70 crore, the movie registered a record net collection of ₹211 crore in India and total worldwide net earnings of ₹318 crore, marking another major commercial triumph for the actor.
