Nowadays, Bollywood is all about lifetime earnings and Rs 100 crore, 200 crore, and 300 crore clubs. Shah Rukh Khan is currently the biggest celebrity in Bollywood, as 'Ling Khan,' as he is affectionately known, has established multiple new box-office records with his most recent flick Jawan. However, this is not a new phenomenon; Bollywood films have been making money at the box office for over a decade, but people did not used to be so concerned with figures. In this post, we shall discuss yesteryear icon Madhubala and how he delivered India's first horror hit.
Madhubala was the first actress to deliver the first horror hit in Hindi cinema in 1949, earning Rs 200 crore (adjusted for inflation). Madhubala was only 15 at the time, and the film was Mahal, which also starred Ashok Kumar. Madhubala played Kamini in the film, which marked Kamal Amrohi's directorial debut.
Mahal was built on a budget of 9 lakh, which equates to roughly Rs 12-14 crore when adjusted for inflation. Mahal was a box office success, grossing Rs. 1.25 crore. After Barsaat and Andaz, Mahal was India's third highest-grossing film in 1949. If the film's earnings are adjusted to today's values, they exceed Rs 200 crore. Mahal made a profit of more than 1500%, making it Bollywood's most profitable horror film.
Kamal Amrohi made the picture during a financial crisis at Bombay Talkies, and he saved money by using items from his personal collection.
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