Back in 2013, the Aamir Khan starrer Dhoom 3 hit screens. While the film itself went on to create box office collection records, Aamir had come up with a different theory to gauge a film’s success. According to Aamir Khan, “To measure a film’s success, you need to see the weekend figures and compare it with the total collection. Like 3 Idiots did Rs. 40 crores on the weekend and the total business was Rs. 202 crores, so the weekend multiplied by 5, is the behaviour of the film which is very good. That shows people have gone again and again to see the film. Jo film teen din mein 100 crore karein aur total mein 200 crore karein, then that film is not good.”
In this report, while comparing the quality of movies, we introduce a metric – Weekend to Lifetime Multiple – for the Rs. 100 crore club. According to this comparison, a higher multiple indicates strong content and therefore longevity at cinemas, which in turn signifies footfalls being attracted in subsequent weeks.
By this measure, the animated mythological epic Mahavatar Narsimha has now emerged as one of the strongest performers in recent years. The film, which opened modestly with Rs. 1.46 crore on Day 1 and Rs. 12.11 crore over its opening weekend, showed remarkable staying power. It went on to record a lifetime collection of Rs. 123.40 crore, resulting in a multiple of 8.60, placing it firmly at the No. 3 spot on the all-time list as per the Aamir Khan formula.
In the Top 5, Kantara leads the chart with an extraordinary multiple of 10.54, followed by The Kashmir Files at 9.31. Mahavatar Narsimha is next at 8.60, edging past Pushpa: The Rise (8.54) and 12th Fail (8.47). This achievement is particularly significant as the film not only belongs to the animated genre – a segment that has historically struggled to sustain high box office momentum in India – but also thrives in a competitive market dominated by live-action spectacles.
Trade analysts attribute this success to the film’s strong word of mouth, rooted in its combination of grand-scale animation, mythological storytelling, and an emotional core that appealed to both family audiences and devotees. Its long theatrical run has been further fuelled by repeat viewings; a key factor Aamir Khan’s metric is designed to identify.
With Mahavatar Narsimha now being hailed as a benchmark for animated cinema in India, the film’s exceptional multiple underscores that, regardless of scale or genre, content that resonates deeply with audiences will always find staying power at the box office.
Top 5 Films as per Aamir Khan’s Formula
Kantara – 10.54
The Kashmir Files – 9.31
Mahavatar Narsimha – 8.60
Pushpa: The Rise – 8,54
12th Fail – 8.47