Box Office: Shah Rukh Khan's top 5 highest opening films; top two have Deepika Padukone as co-star

While we wait for Pathaan, here are the top 5 highest openings for a Shah Rukh Khan film.

 
Shah Rukh Khan

Any film's box office earnings speak volumes. The figures are also indicative of a film's acceptance by the audience. It also defines star powers to some extent. With the Hindi film industry struggling to achieve pre-pandemic box office numbers, all eyes are on superstar Shah Rukh Khan's highly anticipated film Pathaan. After four years, the superstar will return to the big screen in a full-fledged role in the film. Salman Khan will play a special role in the film, which also stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham.

While we wait for 'Pathaan,' here are the top 5 highest openings for a Shah Rukh Khan film:

1. Happy New Year (Oct 24, 2014)

This Shah Rukh Khan-led film directed by Farah Khan opened to a massive Rs. 44.97 crore on day one, which can be considered a rare feat in a post-pandemic world. While the film, which also starred Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood, and Vivaan Shah, did not receive favourable critical reviews, it did find a place in the hearts of the audience, as evidenced by its box office performance.

2. Chennai Express (Aug 9, 2013)

Khan had box office success in Rohit Shetty's 'Chennai Express' a year before Happy New Year. Deepika Padukone co-starred with Khan in the romantic comedy, which marked Shetty and Khan's first collaboration.

3. Raees (Jan 25 2017)

This 2017 film, directed by Rahul Dholakia, portrayed Khan in all his swagger and glory. In the film, he played a bootlegger named Raees Alam. The film depicts his struggle to keep his trade alive against an ACP. While the film was not a smash hit, it did perform well on day one, grossing Rs. 20.42 crore.

4. Zero (Dec 21, 2019)

This was Khan's final major film appearance. Khan played a dwarf man in the film, which also starred Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. While the film grossed Rs. 19.35 crore at the box office, its plot failed to impress both critics and audiences. According to reports, the superstar decided to take a step back and make more deliberate choices after the film's poor performance.

5. Fan (April 15, 2016)

This YRF film was an ambitious project for Khan, exploring the unsaid side of a star-fan relationship. Despite failing to connect with a large portion of the audience, the film currently has the actor's fifth-highest opening at Rs. 19.20 crore.

All eyes are now on Pathaan, the big-screen action thriller. This is Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone's fourth collaboration. John Abraham will be joining them. Pathaan is expected to restore the box office to its pre-pandemic glory, with Salman Khan reprising Tiger in a cameo appearance and the excitement of seeing King Khan on the big screen.