For 50 years, Indian films dominated the world's non-English box office. This is the story of what changed.
From the 1940s to the late 90s, if you were looking for the world's biggest non-English movie, chances are it was from India. Our films didn't just top charts; they defined an era of global soft power.
In 1951, Raj Kapoor's 'Awaara' became a global sensation. It drew an estimated 217 million admissions worldwide, with unprecedented popularity in the Soviet Union, China, and the Middle East.
This wasn't a fluke. 'Mother India' (1957), 'Mughal-e-Azam' (1960), and 'Ganga Jamna' (1961) continued this legacy. Indian stories of love, justice, and family were a universal language.
A huge part of this 'golden age' was the Soviet bloc, where Bollywood was one of the few foreign cinemas allowed. Films like 'Bobby' and 'Caravan' sold tens of millions of tickets there alone.
Even in the 70s, our films had a grip on the world. 'Sholay' (1975) was a massive global hit, earning an estimated $70 million. Its formula of action, drama, and music was irresistible.
The 90s saw one of the last great waves. 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!' (1994) was a cultural juggernaut, grossing a massive $80 million and topping the charts for its year.
As the new millennium dawned, the landscape began to shift. Looking at the list of highest-grossing films, you start to see fewer and fewer Indian names at the very top.
In 1997, Italy's 'Life Is Beautiful' grossed $230M. In 2000, China's 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' hit $214M. In 2001, Japan's 'Spirited Away' soared to $396M. The competition was now fierce.
Did our storytelling change? As India's economy grew, our films began targeting a more urban, multiplex audience. The universal 'mass entertainer' that once traveled the world became less common.
The fall of the Soviet Union closed off a massive, guaranteed market. Simultaneously, other countries began investing heavily in their own film industries.
Post-2010, the list is almost entirely dominated by one country: China. Their film industry exploded, creating colossal blockbusters for its enormous domestic audience.
'The Mermaid' (2016) made $553M. 'Wolf Warrior 2' (2017) hit $870M. 'The Battle at Lake Changjin' (2021) grossed over $900M. These figures dwarf previous records.
China's strategy was different. They focused on creating mega-budget epics for their 1.4 billion people. The massive domestic gross was enough to top global charts, a feat no other country could replicate.
The game has changed, but it's not over. Indian cinema's global influence is now measured differently—through streaming platforms, music, and the success of films in new markets like the USA and Australia.
The global roar for films like 'RRR' shows the world is still hungry for Indian stories. We proved we can still create spectacles that cut across cultures and make everyone take notice.
The old throne might be gone, but a new, more competitive world stage awaits. The goal isn't to reclaim the past, but to innovate for the future.
Our history proves we can capture the world's imagination. The question is, what story will we tell next? The next global golden age for Indian cinema is waiting to be created.