Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Nivin Pauly will be seen clashing at the box office this Onam. While Dulquer’s I’m Game and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Khalifa are set to release in theatres on August 20, Nivin Pauly’s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit will hit the big screens a day later on August 21.
Last Onam, too, saw a three-way clash with Lokah: Chapter 1, Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira, and Mohanlal’s Hridayapoorvam. Lokah: Chapter 1 emerged as the clear winner in last year’s star-studded clash. Now, all eyes are on this year’s Onam battle. Ahead of the releases, we take a look at how the three lead actors have fared at the box office in the post-COVID era.
Dulquer Salmaan vs Nivin Pauly vs Prithviraj Sukumaran Box Office Report Post-COVID
We take a look at the India net collections of all the actors’ theatrical releases in the post-pandemic era.
Nivin Pauly
- Baby Girl: 4.1 crore
- Sarvam Maya: 76.84 crore
- Malayalee From India: 10.8 crore
- Mahaveeryar: 3.52 crore
- Thuramukham: 4.86 crore
- Ramachandra Boss & Co: 4.65 crore
- Padavettu: 2.76 crore
- Saturday Night: 1.4 crore
Total: 108.93 crore
Dulquer Salmaan
- Hey Sinamika: 4.13 crore
- Sita Ramam: 65.49 crore
- Chup: 11.6 crore
- King of Kotha: 17.54 crore
- Lucky Bhaskar: 74.83 crore
- Kaantha: 22.86 crore
Total: 196.45 crore
Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Jana Gana Mana: 25.63 crore
- Theerppu: 1.45 crore
- Gold: 5.33 crore
- Kaapa: 11.52 crore
- Aadujeevitham: 85.26 crore
- Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil: 47.9 crore
- Salaar: Cease Fire – Part 1: 406.45 crore
- Bade Miyan Chote Miyan: 65.97 crore
- L2: Empuraan: 106.77 crore
- Vilayath Buddha: 5.2 crore
- I, Nobody: 8.71 crore
Total: 770.19 crore
Who Tops the List?
While the total collections suggest that Prithviraj is the clear winner, the numbers alone don’t tell the complete story. The actor has had more theatrical releases than Dulquer Salmaan and Nivin Pauly. Moreover, a majority of Prithviraj’s collections come from Salaar: Part 1, in which he played an extended lead alongside Prabhas. The film accounts for 52.8% of his total post-pandemic collections.
For Nivin Pauly, Sarvam Maya is the biggest contributor, accounting for 70.5% of his total collections. In comparison, Dulquer Salmaan’s highest-grossing film contributes 38.1% of his overall post-pandemic earnings, making his run the most balanced of the three.
Combined Total
Together, the three actors have earned 1,075.57 crore (India net).
Share of the combined total:
- Prithviraj Sukumaran: 71.6%
- Dulquer Salmaan: 18.3%
- Nivin Pauly: 10.1%
Highest and Lowest Grossing Films of Each Actor
Prithviraj Sukumaran
Highest: Salaar: Cease Fire – Part 1 – 406.45 crore
Lowest: Theerppu – 1.45 crore
Dulquer Salmaan
Highest: Lucky Bhaskar – 74.83 crore
Lowest: Hey Sinamika – 4.13 crore
Nivin Pauly
Highest: Sarvam Maya – 76.84 crore
Lowest: Saturday Night – 1.4 crore
Major Box Office Milestones
Films Above 10 Crore
Prithviraj: 8
Dulquer Salmaan: 5
Nivin Pauly: 2
Films Above 25 Crore
Prithviraj: 6
Dulquer Salmaan: 3
Nivin Pauly: 1
Films Above 50 Crore
Prithviraj: 4
Dulquer Salmaan: 2
Nivin Pauly: 1
Films Above 100 Crore
Prithviraj: 2
Dulquer Salmaan: 0
Nivin Pauly: 0
Final Verdict
While Prithviraj Sukumaran boasts the highest post-pandemic total, Dulquer Salmaan emerges as the most consistent performer. Prithviraj’s overall collections are heavily boosted by Salaar: Part 1, a two-hero film led by Prabhas. Dulquer, on the other hand, has delivered steady box office performances with most of his theatrical releases.
All three actors are looking for a major box office comeback. Dulquer’s last Malayalam film was 3 years ago which did not meet his box office expectations. Nivin Pauly witnessed a flop right after Sarvam Maya and Prithviraj Sukumaran faced two disasters after L2: Empuraan in 2025.
Meanwhile, Nivin Pauly is still heavily reliant on his comeback hit Sarvam Maya, which accounts for over 70% of his total post-pandemic collections.
For more such box office analysis, stay tuned to Koimoi.
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