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Kangana, Deepika, Vidya: The QUEENS of Box Office

Last updated on: June 10, 2015 18:17 IST

Bring on the Rs 100-crore heroine's club already! 

Tanu Weds Manu Returns has become the first big hit of the year, grossing over Rs 100 crore at the box office. Of course, that would mean leading lady Kangana Ranaut has a lot of reason to party.

The film is also the biggest female-centric hit in Bollywood.

Here's a look at Bollywood's biggest heroine-oriented hits in recent times.

 

Tanu Weds Manu Returns 

Image: Kangana Ranaut and R Madhavan in Tanu Weds Manu Returns

Collections: Rs 125 crore (and counting)

While it would have been a success if it pulled in even Rs 50 crore, the Tanu Weds Manu sequel has more than exceeded expectations.

The film's collections have strengthened during the week days as well, when there's usually less activity at the box office.

Read the review here.


The Dirty Picture

Image: Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture

Collections: Rs 80 crore

In Milan Luthria's biopic on the late onscreen siren Silk Smitha, Vidya shone the brightest as the lead in a cast crowded with male actors -- Emraan Hashmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Tusshar Kapoor.

Read the review here



Piku

Image: Deepika Padukone in Piku

Collections: Rs 77 crore (and counting)

Shoojit Sircar's much-loved film has already fetched over Rs 77 crore.

Despite the presence of acting heavyweights like Amitabh Bachchan and Irrfan Khan, Deepika Padukone proved her brilliant screen presence and has been widely lauded for doing complete justice to her harrowed daughter character.

Read the review here

Mary Kom

Image: Priyanka Chopra in Mary Kom

Collections: Rs 64 crore

Priyanka Chopra gave life to Olympian boxer Mary Kom in Omung Kumar's biopic.

The film went on to win critically and commercial acclaim and a National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the 62nd National Film Awards.

Read the review here


Queen

Image: Kangana Ranaut in Queen

Collections: Rs 61 crore
Vikas Bahl's widely appreciated Queen resurrected the career of Kangana Ranaut.

It was released with little fanfare, but audiences accorded it with thumping success and praise that it deserved.

It went from strength to strength with every passing week since its release in 2014 and sprinted over the Rs 60 crore mark.

Read the review here



Kahaani

Image: Vidya Balan in Kahaani 

Collections: Rs 59 crore

Sujoy Ghosh-directed Kahaani is one of those rare thrillers that has a lot of repeat value.

Vidya Balan did a commendable job of holding the viewers' attention (with help from the crisp writing and direction, of course).

Read the review here


Heroine

Image: Kareena Kapoor in Heroine

Collections: Rs 44 crore

Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine was set in the Hindi film industry, with Kareena Kapoor playing the troubled protagonist.

The audience may have given mixed feedback for the film but it managed to do decent business at the box office, the best business coming from multiplexes in major cities.

Read the review here



English Vinglish

Image: Sridevi in English Vinglish

Collections: Rs 40 crore

When English Vinglish’s delightful-looking first promo was released, many wondered how first-time director Gauri Shinde would pull it off.

The film floored audiences and Sridevi made a comeback in style with an excellent performance that culminated in a very busy box office during the film's run.

Read the review here


Mardaani

Image: Rani Mukerji in Mardaani

Collections: Rs 36 crore

After the epic misfire that was Aiyya, Rani Mukherji made sure that her next female-centric film was much better scripted and narrated.

Mardaani was entertaining despite its dark theme.

Rani was in her element as a tough cop and after a misadventure called Laaga Chunari Pe Daag with director Pradeep Sarkar, Mardaani turned out to be a better film.

Read the review here


NH10

Image: Anushka Sharma in NH10

Collections: Rs 33 crore

When Anushka Sharma decided to turn producer, she took an admirably offbeat route and gave a nod to a film that was set in the course of one fateful night.

NH10 was as dramatic as it could get, with Anushka manning the narrative deftly.

Putting her trust in her director Navdeep Singh (whose last film was the acclaimed but under-performing Manorama Six Feet Under), and despite no notable supporting cast, she went on to deliver a commercial success.

Read the review here

Joginder Tuteja in Mumbai