Audiences have taken notice of the recent upsurge in high-budget projects in the Indian film industry. The fact that Chandrayaan 3 is less expensive than Om Raut's Adipurush is an intriguing finding that took many by surprise. This emphasizes how much money has to be spent on creating a movie. The cost of filming a movie includes paying for lead performers, staff, visual effects companies, and marketing.
The expense includes building sets, obtaining permits, and paying for transportation and meals. The reaction of the public is still uncertain, though; what happens if a movie doesn't strike a chord and ends up being a commercial bust? Significant losses may arise from such situations. The best big-budget Indian movies are listed below, along with their profit or loss margins.
Top 10 Most Expensive Indian Movies in 2023
| Film Title | Budget (in crores) |
|---|---|
| Dunki | 100 |
| Animal | 100-110 |
| Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | 160 (production) + 18 (marketing) |
| Salaar | 200-250 |
| Pathaan | 235 (production) + 15 (marketing) |
| Jawan | 300 |
| Tiger 3 | 300 |
| Brahmastra (Part One - Shiva) | 410 |
| Adipurush | 500-700 |
| Project K (Kalki 2898 AD) | 600 |
-
Dunki
Image Source: Twitter
Dunki, a film directed by Rajkumar Hirani, is one of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's most anticipated releases. The film is reportedly being produced on a whopping Rs 100 crore budget. Taapsee Pannu plays the major female part in it. The movie is scheduled to open on December 22.
-
Animal
Image Source: Twitter
Sandeep Reddy Vanga is the director of the action-crime drama Animal in Bollywood. Rashmika Mandanna and Ranbir Kapoor, a new duo, play the key parts. The film's enormous budget is reportedly between Rs. 100 and Rs. 110 crore. The animal was originally slated for release on August 11, 2023, however, post-production work kept it from happening, therefore it was moved to December 1, 2023.
-
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Image Source: Twitter
The 2023 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy family drama film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, also known as Rocky and Rani's Love Story, was written by Ishita Moitra, Shashank Khaitan, and Sumit Roy. It was directed by Karan Johar.
Following Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), Johar's feature film return was announced in July 2021. The film is produced by Dharma Productions and Viacom18 Studios.
Produced with a 160 crore (US$20 million) production budget and 18 crores (US$2.3 million) marketing expenditure, the film has made over 355 crores (US$44 million) in box office receipts globally, making it the sixth highest-grossing Indian film and the fourth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.
-
Salaar
Image Source: Twitter
Salaar, which is helmed by action-packed entertainment director Prashanth Neel, is budgeted a whopping Rs 200–250 crores. Prabhas plays the main part in it. The female protagonist will be played by Shruti Haasan. On December 22, the film is scheduled to premiere with Shah Rukh Khan's Dunki.
-
Pathaan
Image Source: Twitter
In terms of films, Shah Rukh Khan's year has been successful. Pathan, one of his films, does well at the box office, it appears that King Khan has returned to his former glory. June 16 was the release date. At the box office, the film brought in INR 1050.05 crore! It is now essentially a 1000-crore club film. John Abraham and Deepika Padukone play key parts in this action-packed movie.
Vishal-Shekhar wrote the movie's soundtrack, with Sanchit and Ankit Balhara contributing to the songwriting. An estimated 235 crore (US$29 million) was allocated for the film's production, with a further 15 crore (US$1.9 million) going on print and advertising.
-
Jawan
Image Source: Twitter
This action-packed thriller, which stars Shah Rukh Khan, was released in 2023 and is among the most costly Bollywood productions. Reports state that the film, which is being produced by Gauri Khan under the Red Chillies Studios banner, has an approximate budget of 300 crores. The movie, which was available in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi theatres, opened on September 7.
-
Tiger 3
Image Source: Twitter
With its explosive action scenes and the legendary acting duo of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, Tiger 3 is expected to be an unmatched cinematic experience. Emraan Khan will appear in the YRF project as an opponent. Additionally, Shah Rukh Khan will make a unique cameo appearance. With an astounding projected budget of Rs 300 crore, Tiger 3 is Yash Raj Films' most costly project to date.
-
Brahmastra (Part One - Shiva)
Image Source: Twitter
According to early sources, the movie's production budget was Rs. 410 crores, making it the most costly Hindi film at the time of its release as well as one of the most expensive Indian films overall.
Lead actor Ranbir Kapoor subsequently emphasized, nevertheless, that this sum included production costs for the franchise's three main instalments.
Resources produced during the first film's production would be used in later instalments. Approximately 150 crores were set aside for visual effects costs in the post-production stage. There were both favourable and bad reviews for the movie.
Despite this negative response, the movie was a box office success, earning an estimated total of about Rs. 431 crores worldwide. It has earned Rs. 320 crores domestically and Rs. 111 crores abroad, for a total estimated worldwide revenue of Rs. 431 crores.
-
Adipurush
Image Source: Twitter
Adipurush, the most contentious film of 2023, had a fantastic opening weekend owing to strong pre-release excitement and efficient marketing, grossing Rs. 140 crores globally on its first day of release.
However, unfavourable feelings intensified as soon as reviews and reactions from the public started to appear, which resulted in a sharp decline in the movie's box office receipts.
With a budget between 500 crores (US$63 million) and 700 crores (US$88 million), Adipurush is among the most costly Indian movies. On June 16, 2023, Adipurush was released to mixed reviews from critics who had issues with the film's language, storyline, and images. It proved to be a big office hit.
At the Hindi box office, the film has made Rs 145.21 crores, while it has made about Rs 280 crores overall in India. The movie has made more than Rs 400 crore worldwide, but it hasn't been able to recover its purported Rs 500 crore expenditure. Despite its dismal box office performance, it has become the second-highest-grossing movie of 2023.
-
Project K
Image Source: Twitter
Nag Ashwin is the writer and director of the impending Indian epic science fiction film Kalki 2898 AD, also known as "Project K." Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani are among the ensemble cast members in the movie. With an astounding budget of Rs 600 crore, the film is reportedly the most costly production in Indian cinema history. Cinemas will screen "Project K" on January 12, 2024.
About the Author:
Akanksha Sinha
I'm Akanksha Sinha, an expert in writing sports blogs, news, and various articles for entertainment and more. I bring a unique flair to my work, providing insightful perspectives on the world of sports.
My articles aim to inform and entertain, making me a go-to source for sports enthusiasts seeking a blend of information and enjoyment. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, I consistently deliver compelling narratives that resonate with a diverse audience.