All We Imagine as Light winning the prestigious Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival 2024 was a monumental milestone for India. Directed by Payal Kapadia, the drama film is headlined by Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam and Hridhu Haroon. All We Imagine as Light is one of the many examples of a female-led film being met with accolades.
It’s not just awards season, though, where we get to see female-led movies dominate. It’s clearly visible at the box office too. But do you know which female-led film was the first to earn Rs 100 crore in India? Hint: It’s not Secret Superstar, Raazi or The Kerala Story…
Not Secret Superstar, Raazi or The Kerala Story, but this blockbuster Bollywood film was the first female-led movie to earn Rs 100 crore in India:
Tanu Weds Manu Returns was the first female-led movie to earn Rs 100 crore in India. The rom-com film stars Kangana Ranaut in a dual role as Tanu and Datto. Directed by Aanand L. Rai, Tanu Weds Manu Returns is the sequel to Tanu Weds Manu, which was also a hit.
According to DNA India, Tanu Weds Manu Returns grossed Rs 258 crore worldwide, earning Rs 150.71 crore in India. The Bollywood film made history as the first female-led film to enter the 100-crore club in India. Tanu Weds Manu Returns also stars R Madhavan, Jimmy Sheirgill, Deepak Dobriyal, Swara Bhaskar and Eijaz Khan, and went on to win three National Film Awards — Best Actress for Kangana Ranaut, Best Original Screenplay and Best Dialogues both to Himanshu Sharma.
Other female-led blockbuster movies that earned Rs 100 crore or more in India:
One of the biggest female-led movies in terms of exceptional box office success is Secret Superstar. According to Firstpost, the Zaira Wasim, Aamir Khan, Meher Vij and Raj Arjun starrer earned a colossal Rs 900 crore at the global box office, making it one of the most profitable Indian films of all time. Alia Bhatt has given the maximum number of Rs 100 crore hit films, including Raazi. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, Raazi earned Rs 207 crore at the global box office, according to Business Standard.
The Kerala Story is another female-led movie that performed phenomenally at the global box office. According to Zee Business, the Adah Sharma starrer has earned Rs 303 crore globally and became the most profitable Indian movie of 2023.
