So, who are the actresses ruling the box office in the first six months of 2019?
Joginder Tuteja looks at the big hits scored, and presents his half-yearly report.
Kiara Advani
Kabir Singh
Box office collection: Rs 180 crore (and counting)
Last seen as a leading lady in the box office disaster Machine, Kiara took centrestage in the blockbuster Kabir Singh, opposite Shahid Kapoor.
Now, there is hope for her next release, Good News, which releases in December.
Madhuri Dixit
Total Dhamaal, Kalank
Box office collection: Rs 235.23 crore
The actress returned to the big screen with two back-to-back films, Total Dhamaal and Kalank.
Both films were ensemble starrers and while the former was successful, the latter was a major disappointment.
Madhuri displayed her comic timing in Total Dhamaal and went dramatic in Kalank.
Between the two, she managed to be part of films that collected over Rs 250 crore.
Alia Bhatt
Gully Boy, Kalank
Box office collection: Rs 221 crore
Alia had two releases this year, Gully Boy and Kalank.
In Gully Boy, she supported Ranveer Singh's character well, and the film entered the Rs 100 crore club.
Kalank, unfortunately, flopped.
Katrina Kaif
Bharat
Box office collection: Rs 215 crore
Katrina is probably breathing a sigh of relief.
After last year's debacles, Thugs of Hindostan and Zero, she fared better with the Salman Khan starrer, Bharat.
Of course, Bhai's Eid release was much better than what the other two Khans served up.
Rakul Preet Singh
De De Pyaar De
Box office collection: Rs 103.50 crore
Last seen in a special appearance in the flop, Aiyaary, Rakul had a strong role in De De Pyaar De.
She was the sunshine of this romcom and brought in the right kind of humour, sensitivity and sensuality to the part, and the audiences loved her for it.
With De De Pyaar De, RPS makes her debut in the Rs 100 crore club.
Kriti Sanon
Luka Chuppi
Box office collection: Rs 95 crore
Kriti has been making a steady impression ever since she burst onto the scene with Heropanti.
She's been consistent since then, and she got her highest grossing film with Luka Chuppi.
Kangana Ranaut
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Box office collection: Rs 92.19 crore
Kangana was confident about Manikarnika doing well and though the film did not quite cover the distance, it did well enough to emerge successful.
Had the opening been bigger, the period war epic would have entered the Rs 100 crore club.
Taapsee Pannu
Badla
Box office collection: Rs 87.99 crore
One of the most reliable actresses in the industry, delivering solid performances on screen, Taapsee proved she is capable yet again in Badla.
Even though she had a face-off of sorts with the towering Amitabh Bachchan, she held her own and impressed once again.
