Today, the success of films' box office is measured by the crores they earn at the ticket window. It's a straightforward formula where a film that earns more is celebrated more. However, pitting a film's collection against another from a different time often becomes difficult due to inflation, changing ticket prices, and varying screen counts.
In the years gone by, metrics like silver and golden jubilees or footfalls were considered to determine a film's success. And if footfall alone is the metric, the one particular blockbuster rules the roost with 25 crore tickets sold, the highest for any Indian film. ( Also read: Exclusive | Ramesh Sippy says Sholay was one of the first pan-India films ) India's most-watched film Ramesh Sippy's era-defining film Sholay is the most-watched Indian film in theatres.
Upon its release, the film broke several box office records, grossing over ₹ 15 crore at the box office. According to IndiCine, Sholay sold an estimated 15 crore tickets in India in its initial run, which lasted six years. Subsequent re-releases over the years have seen the film add 3 crore more footfalls in the domestic market.
The Curry Western was also a hit overseas, particularly in the Soviet Union, where it sold 48 million tickets in the original run and 60 million - or 6 crore - tickets overall. Sholay is estimated to have sold over one crore more tickets over the years in Europe, North America, and the Middle East, taking its total footfall count past 25 crore. In comp.
