Release dates play a critical role in determining a film's commercial fate in the Indian film industry, and August 31 stands out as one of the most unpredictable days in Bollywood box office history. Films hitting the big screen on this particular calendar date have either experienced phenomenal historic success or faced total rejection from moviegoers. While star driven projects featuring actors like Salman Khan and Rajkummar Rao smashed box office records, several other big budget ventures failed to attract audiences. Notably, for leading actors such as Ajay Devgn, August 31 has repeatedly delivered disappointing theatrical outcomes.
The Biggest August 31 Box Office Winners: Bodyguard and Stree
On August 31, 2011, aligned with the festive occasion of Eid, the action romantic comedy film Bodyguard featuring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor made its theatrical debut. Directed by Siddique, the movie shattered existing opening day records by collecting a staggering 21.60 crore rupees on day one. Accumulating a net box office collection of over 148 crore rupees across India, Bodyguard emerged as the single biggest blockbuster release of 2011.
Exactly seven years later, on August 31, 2018, director Amar Kaushik introduced the landmark horror comedy Stree to audiences. Produced on a modest budget of just 20 crore rupees and starring Rajkummar Rao alongside Shraddha Kapoor, the film revolutionized its genre. Supported by unique storytelling and flawless comedic timing, Stree went on to collect more than 129 crore rupees net in India, earning a superhit status while completely defying trade expectations.
Stellar Ensemble Cast Failed to Save Lajja from Box Office Defeat
Released on August 31, 2001, director Rajkumar Santoshi's drama Lajja boasted one of the most formidable ensemble casts of its era. Featuring prominent actors Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala, Anil Kapoor, and Ajay Devgn, the movie focused on the critical subject of female empowerment. However, despite its powerful themes and high profile casting, the high production budget coupled with an overly serious narrative tone failed to connect with mainstream viewers, causing the film to end its theatrical run as a box office flop.
Three Major August 31 Releases That Turned Out to Be Complete Disasters
Director Ram Gopal Varma's film Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag arrived in theaters on August 31, 2007, framed as a modern adaptation of the classic cinema masterpiece Sholay. Despite an illustrious cast comprising Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, and South Indian superstar Mohanlal, the project suffered from an unsatisfactory screenplay and uninspired direction. Universal backlash from both critics and audiences turned the film into one of the biggest disasters in Indian cinematic history.
Five years later, on August 31, 2012, Shirish Kunder's alien comedy Joker landed in cinemas starring Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha. Subpar visual effects, a childish script, and unengaging humor alienated viewers completely. The film performed so poorly that lead actor Akshay Kumar even stepped away from promotional campaigns, resulting in another complete box office disaster.
Finally, on August 31, 2018, the Deol family consisting of Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, and Bobby Deol returned with Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se. Serving as the third installment in the franchise, the comedy failed due to repetitive content and weak writing. Facing a direct box office clash with the unstoppable wave of Stree on the very same day, the movie collapsed quickly and was declared a major box office disaster.
