Box Office Verdict: Superhit
Shaitaan, the Vikas Bahl-directed supernatural thriller starring Ajay Devgn and R. Madhavan, has terrified its way to ₹150.35 crore domestically (net), currently ranking #58 in Filmymojo’s 2024 box office charts. The film became the highest-grossing horror-thriller in Bollywood history.
Box Office Breakdown
Key Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Collection | ₹150.35 crore |
| Current Rank | #58 (2024 Releases) |
| Genre | Supernatural Thriller |
| Release Date | March 8, 2024 |
| Director | Vikas Bahl |
| Lead Cast | Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, Jyotika |
Genre Comparison
- Average Horror-Thriller Collection (Last 5 Years): ₹42.6 crore
- Shaitaan vs. Genre Avg: 253% above benchmark
- Top Horror-Thrillers:
- Shaitaan (₹150.35 crore)
- Stree (₹129.57 crore)
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (₹185.63 crore)*
- *1920* (₹10.49 crore)
(*While classified as horror-comedy, comparable in scare quotient)
Ajay Devgn’s Horror Prowess
Shaitaan continues Ajay’s dominance in supernatural films:
| Movie | Collection (₹ Cr) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Shaitaan | 150.35 | 2024 |
| Bhool Bhulaiyaa | 49.74 | 2007 |
| Kaal | 19.09 | 2005 |
| Raaz | 22.38 | 2002 |
Key Insight: Ajay now holds the record for highest-grossing supernatural film (Shaitaan)..
The Budget-to-Business Ratio
What makes Shaitaan’s performance terrifyingly good:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | ₹65 crore |
| Marketing Spend | ₹25 crore |
| ROI | 2.3x |
| Breakeven Point | Achieved in Week 3 |
Industry Standard: Horror films typically need just 1.8x to be profitable.
Weekly Performance Breakdown
The film showed horror-typical drops but with higher baselines:
| Week | Collection (₹ Cr) | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 79.21 | – |
| 2 | 42.15 | 47% |
| 3 | 18.72 | 56% |
| 4 | 10.27 | 45% |
Remarkable Trend: The ₹79.21 crore opening week is higher than most horror films’ lifetime totals.
Controversies & Cultural Impact
- Religious Debates: Certain rituals sparked social media discussions
- CBFC Challenges: Received ‘A’ certificate after 3 minutes of cuts
- Viral Moments: “Haan Main Shaitaan Hoon” dialogue trended nationally
- Industry Impact: Revived interest in serious horror after comedy-horror wave
Audience Demographics
- Urban/Rural Split: 58%/42%
- Gender Ratio: 61% male, 39% female
- Age Group:
- 18-25: 42%
- 26-35: 38%
- 35+: 20%
Unique Finding: Unusually high 35+ audience for horror (typically 12-15%)
Final Verdict
With ₹150.35 crore, Shaitaan has rewritten the rules for horror-thrillers in India. Its success proves that:
- Serious horror can work alongside comedy-horror
- Mid-budget films can achieve blockbuster status
- Star power matters even in genre films
Watch Recommendation: A must-watch for horror fans, though not for the faint-hearted. Best experienced in theaters.
Data Source: Filmymojo Box Office Database