The Ultimate Showdown of Intense Performer vs Mass Entertainer
Bollywood’s two rising superstars – Vicky Kaushal (the intense, critically-acclaimed actor) and Kartik Aaryan (the king of mass entertainers) – have taken very different paths to success. But when it comes to box office numbers, who delivers bigger hits? Let’s settle this debate with hard data!
By The Numbers: Total Films & Collections
| Metric | Vicky Kaushal | Kartik Aaryan | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Films | 12 | 14 | Kartik |
| Total Collections (₹ Cr) | ₹1,306 Cr | ₹1,058 Cr | ✅ Vicky |
| Average per Film (₹ Cr) | ₹108.88 Cr | ₹75.60 Cr | ✅ Vicky |
| Highest Grosser | Chhaava (₹614 Cr) | Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (₹281 Cr) | ✅ Vicky |
Key Takeaway:
- Vicky has fewer films but MUCH higher earnings per movie.
- Kartik has more films but lower average returns.
Top 5 Blockbusters: Critical Hits vs Mass Entertainers
Vicky’s Biggest Money-Makers
- Chhaava (₹614 Cr) – Epic historical blockbuster
- Sam Bahadur (₹91 Cr) – Biographical war drama
- Uri: The Surgical Strike (₹245 Cr) – Patriotic action smash
- Sardar Udham (OTT) – Critically-acclaimed drama
- Manmarziyaan (₹24 Cr) – Romantic drama
Kartik’s Top Performers
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (₹281 Cr) – Horror-comedy sequel
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (₹186 Cr) – Horror-comedy reboot
- Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety (₹109 Cr) – Bromantic comedy
- Luka Chuppi (₹95 Cr) – Romantic comedy
- Pati Patni Aur Woh (₹88 Cr) – Comedy remake
Verdict:
- Vicky’s films are BIGGER commercially and critically.
- Kartik thrives in comedy and horror-comedy genres.
Genre Wars: Where They Rule
Vicky’s Strengths
- Historical (₹614 Cr) – Chhaava
- War Drama (₹245 Cr) – Uri
- Biopic (₹91 Cr) – Sam Bahadur
Kartik’s Strengths
- Horror-Comedy (₹281 Cr) – Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3
- Romantic Comedy (₹109 Cr) – Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety
- Bromantic Comedy (₹95 Cr) – Luka Chuppi
Insight:
- Vicky = Intense, high-budget, patriotic/historical cinema.
- Kartik = Mass-appeal comedy and horror-comedy.
Hit Ratio: Who’s More Bankable?
| Box Office Benchmark | Vicky | Kartik |
|---|---|---|
| Films above ₹50 Cr | 50% | 57.1% |
| Films above ₹100 Cr | 25% | 21.4% |
| Films above ₹200 Cr | 16.7% | 7.1% |
Analysis:
- Kartik has slightly more ₹50 Cr+ hits.
- Vicky dominates in premium benchmarks (₹100 Cr+ and ₹200 Cr+).
Recent Trends & Comebacks
- Vicky’s Rise: Chhaava (2025) and Sam Bahadur (2023) proved his box office pull.
- Kartik’s Resurgence: Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024) gave him his biggest hit yet.
Final Verdict: Who Wins?
✅ Vicky Kaushal – Higher collections, bigger solo hits, better premium hit ratio.
✅ Kartik Aaryan – More films, stronger mid-range consistency, comedy king.
Conclusion:
- For Box Office Power → Vicky.
- For Mass Entertainment → Kartik.