Salman Khan and Rani Mukerji are two of Bollywood’s most iconic stars, each having carved a niche for themselves over the decades. While their on-screen pairing has always been anticipated by fans, their track record together hasn’t been as successful as one might think. Despite their popularity, the duo has worked in seven films together, with varying results at the box office. Let’s take a closer look at these films and how they fared, with some surprising facts along the way.
Salman’s Humorous Take on Their Box Office History
In a fun throwback video from Salman Khan’s reality show ‘Dus Ka Dum’, the superstar playfully revealed that he and Rani Mukerji had a “foolproof flop record” of 7 disasters out of 7 films. This light-hearted comment sparked laughter from the audience and Rani herself, but it got everyone thinking—were all these films really flops? While Salman joked about it, some of their movies did manage to do well, contrary to his claim.
The Films They Starred in Together
- Hello Brother (1999)
This action-comedy film starred Salman, his brother Arbaaz Khan, and Rani Mukerji. With a budget of ₹9 crores, it earned ₹10.53 crores at the box office. Though it was not a blockbuster, it managed to break even, falling into the “below average” category. - Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000)
This romantic drama, with Salman and Rani in the lead, was made on a budget of ₹8 crores but only earned ₹6.55 crores, making it a certified flop. Despite the film’s failure, their chemistry remained appreciated. - Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000)
In this romantic musical also featuring Preity Zinta, Salman and Rani shone together. The movie, made for ₹13 crores, grossed ₹15.39 crores—just enough to call it an average performer at the box office. - Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001)
Perhaps one of the more successful films they worked on together, this movie explored themes of surrogacy, rare for Bollywood at the time. Made with a budget of ₹13 crores, it earned a respectable ₹18.47 crores in India and more than ₹37 crores worldwide. - Baabul (2006)
Despite a strong cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Salman, and Rani, this family drama about loss and remarriage underperformed. With a significant budget, the film failed to capture the audience’s attention and was declared a flop. - Saawariya (2007)
A highly anticipated film by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, it introduced Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. Though Salman had a small role, the film tanked at the box office, becoming one of the year’s biggest disasters. - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
Contrary to Salman’s statement, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ was a blockbuster. This Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukerji starrer is still beloved today. Though Salman had a guest appearance, it became one of the biggest hits of his career.
Were All These Films Really Flops?
Salman’s joke about their flop streak isn’t entirely accurate. While some films underperformed, a few like ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ and ‘Chori Chori Chupke Chupke’ were successful. Hello Brother and Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega broke even, meaning not all were disasters. However, the duo’s on-screen magic did not translate into consistent box office success.
Final Thoughts on the Salman-Rani Pairing
Despite their 7-film collaboration having a mixed track record, Salman Khan and Rani Mukerji remain cherished Bollywood icons. Their unique chemistry and star power have left a lasting impact, even if the box office didn’t always reflect it.
