Jan 14, 2026

When Cinema Turned Patriotic: Bollywood Hits That Dominated Republic Day

Aanya Sharma

Fighter (2024)

Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone soared high with Fighter, directed by Siddharth Anand. The aerial action drama opened with around ₹22 crore and gained strong momentum over the Republic Day weekend, riding high on patriotic energy and mass appeal.

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Pathaan (2023)

Shah Rukh Khan made a historic comeback with Pathaan. The Siddharth Anand directorial shattered records by earning over ₹1,055 crore worldwide, making it the biggest Republic Day release ever and redefining Bollywood’s box office potential.

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Chhapaak (2020)

Meghna Gulzar’s Chhapaak told the powerful story of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. Despite its sensitive theme, the Deepika Padukone-starrer collected over ₹55 crore globally, proving meaningful cinema can also find strength on Republic Day.

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Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019)

Vicky Kaushal’s Uri struck a deep patriotic chord with audiences. Based on the aftermath of the 2016 Uri attack, the film earned nearly ₹342 crore worldwide, becoming one of the most iconic Republic Day blockbusters.

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Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)

Kangana Ranaut shone as Rani Lakshmi Bai in this historical action drama. Released around Republic Day, Manikarnika collected over ₹142 crore globally and celebrated courage, sacrifice, and India’s fight for freedom.

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Padmaavat (2018)

Despite intense controversies, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat emerged victorious at the box office. Starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, the film amassed around ₹585 crore worldwide during its Republic Day run.

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Raees (2017)

Shah Rukh Khan’s Raees combined action, emotion, and star power. Directed by Rahul Dholakia, the film earned about ₹285 crore globally, reinforcing SRK’s strong box office presence during the Republic Day period.

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Kaabil (2017)

Hrithik Roshan delivered a compelling performance in Kaabil, a revenge drama that connected emotionally with audiences. Despite stiff competition, the film performed well and remains a notable Republic Day release.

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Airlift (2016)

Akshay Kumar’s Airlift portrayed the real-life evacuation of Indians from Kuwait. The gripping patriotic thriller earned close to ₹228 crore worldwide, setting a strong benchmark for Republic Day releases in the years that followed.

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