The transformation in the entertainment landscape over the past half-century has been most notable in the diminishing size of the screens we consume content on. Reflecting on the evolution of Indian entertainment over these 50 years reveals some fascinating trends. Fifty years ago, Hindi cinema’s biggest blockbusters regularly sold between 100-150 million tickets. Iconic films like “Sholay,” “Mughal-e-Azam,” and “Kismet” each reportedly sold over 120 million tickets. As time progressed, the ticket sales for major films showed a downward trend. For instance, “Hum Aapke Hain Koun” sold around 70 million tickets, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” about 50 million, and “Mard” approximately 48 million tickets.

In the contemporary era, top-grossing films such as “Dangal” have seen further declines in ticket sales, with “Dangal” selling only around 37.8 million tickets. On the other hand, “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion” managed to sell around 50 million tickets, showcasing a rare exception to this downward trend. This shift highlights not only changes in audience behavior and distribution methods but also the impact of digital consumption on traditional ticket sales.

This evolution underscores several key points: the changing dynamics of audience engagement, the rise of digital platforms, and how content consumption has diversified. The once colossal cinema audiences have fragmented, with many viewers now opting for the convenience of home viewing on increasingly smaller screens, from televisions to smartphones and tablets. This shift has fundamentally redefined what it means to be a blockbuster in modern India.