Bollywood star Rajkummar Rao is experiencing a remarkable period of success. In just three months, three of his films have become box office hits, most notably the latest 'Stree 2', which is raking in massive earnings at the theaters.
This film has been breaking records from day one, grossing over 4 billion rupees worldwide, making it the biggest Hindi film of 2024. Prior to this, in May, Rajkummar's 'Shrikant' and 'Mr. and Mrs. Mahi' were back-to-back successes.
Source: aajtak
Rajkummar has always been one of the favorite actors among the audience, yet his films have rarely achieved such explosive box office success. He chooses offbeat films that are not traditionally strong in terms of business. However, these films inevitably find their audience over time, even if they do not achieve massive earnings initially.
The year 2024 has brought immense joy to Rajkummar's fans, as his films are earning big at the box office. This box office success is certainly going to bring Rajkummar even bigger projects in the future. But did you notice a fun pattern in Rajkummar Rao's box office success?
The Hero of 'Stree' Stories
In his latest film 'Stree 2', Rajkummar plays the lead hero. The film delivers a powerful message about the treatment of women in society through the character of 'Bikky', who frees girls from the curse of a headless spirit. This is not the only film where Rajkummar brings forward a female-centric story that earns box office success.
The Trend Started from His Career Beginning
Rajkummar Rao debuted in 2010 with the film 'Love Sex Aur Dhokha', followed by 'Ragini MMS' in 2011. These films were released when crimes against women using digital technology were gaining attention, and both films succeeded at the box office.
Source: aajtak
His next box office success came after three years with 'Queen' (2014), starring Kangana Ranaut as a girl whose fiancé leaves her two days before their wedding. She then embarks on a journey to discover herself and becomes the queen of her own life. Rajkummar played the role of the fiancé who betrays her, and this film was his biggest hit at that time.
'Bareilly Ki Barfi' and 'Stree' Took Him Further
Rajkummar waited another three years for his next box office success, which came with 'Bareilly Ki Barfi'. The film revolves around Kriti Sanon's character, a girl living life on her own terms, astonished to find herself reflected in a book character.
Source: aajtak
She tests the young author to see if he loves her for who she is or because she reminds him of his character. Rajkummar shared equal screen space with Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead role and delivered yet another box office success. Interestingly, his character in the film worked in a sari shop and aspired to be a macho man, which he actually wasn't.
Rajkummar's biggest hit came with 'Stree' in 2018, starring alongside Shraddha Kapoor. This film not only made him a huge fan favorite but also earned him a 100-crore success, becoming his first superhit film.
Source: aajtak
2024: The Explosive Year
This year, Rajkummar Rao has had three successful films: 'Shrikant', 'Mr. and Mrs. Mahi', and 'Stree 2'. Two of these are female-centric stories with Rajkummar playing the hero who brings the story to its conclusion.
In 'Mr. and Mrs. Mahi', Rajkummar plays a boy who fails in cricket but pushes his wife to pursue the sport, even training her himself. His actions, intended for his own happiness, give his wife the wings to achieve her dreams.
Made on a budget of 400 million, 'Mr. and Mrs. Mahi' earned over 510 million worldwide, marking a modest success. Then came 'Stree 2', which shook the entire industry. Now, Rajkummar Rao is the hottest star of 2024.
Source: aajtak
Another interesting angle to his success story is how he initially played villains in female-led stories but has now become the hero in such films. In an era dominated by 'alpha male' heroes, Rajkummar's success with such stories is truly commendable.
It will be exciting to see what story Rajkummar brings to the big screen next in 'Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video' (October 2024) and how the audience responds to his film in the theaters this time.
