Top 10 Highest-Grossers Of 1974 Which Turn 50 In 2024
Posted On: 07 Feb 2024 | Last Updated : 07 Mar 2024 | Views : 1.5k
The year 1974 will always be remembered in Bollywood as a year that set the tone for upcoming blockbusters. The year that churned out major hits proved that Indian cinema had finally come of age. The likes of Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra, Shashi Kapoor, and Dharmendra had already established themselves as top stars unaware of the Amitabh Bachchan tsunami that was set to follow soon. Regarding the female leads of 1974, Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman, Moushumi Chatterjee, Mumtaz, and Rekha were top draws at the box office. It’s time to get nostalgic and go down memory lane to recall the top 10 highest-grossing Bollywood movies of 1974 that turn 50 in 2024.
1. Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (18 October) (Budget: 1.20 Crores, Domestic: 5.25 Crores, Worldwide: 11.00 Crores)
Actor–director Manoj Kumar’s multi-starrer Roti Kapada Aur Makaan earned the numero uno position to become the highest-grossing Bollywood movie of 1974. The film which included an ensemble star cast of Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Moushumi Chatterjee, Premnath, Dheeraj Kumar, etc., broke all then-existing box office records. The film appealed to many because of the theme which was based on the then prevailing inflation, price rise, and unemployment in the country.
2. Chor Machaye Shor (22 March) (Budget: 95 Lakhs, Domestic: 3.00 Crores, Worldwide: 05.75 Crores)
Producer N.N. Sippy and director Ashok Roy’s action drama Chor Machaye Shor earned the second slot among the top biggest hit Bollywood Hindi movies of 1974. Starring Shashi Kapoor, Mumtaz, Danny Denzongpa, Madan Puri, and Asrani, the film had evergreen music by Ravindra Jain such as Le Jayenge Le Jayenge, Ek Daal Par Tota Bole, Ghungroo Ki Tarah, etc. The film's success teamed up again to deliver yet another hit in the form of Fakira in 1976.
3. Dost (12 April) (Budget: 1.00 Crore, Domestic: 2.50 Crores, Worldwide: 05.00 Crores)
Despite not being an action drama, director Dulal Guha’s Dost did exceedingly well ending up at the third position among the 10 highest-grossing films of the year 1974. Starring Dharmendra, Hema Malini, and Shatrughan Sinha, the film had memorable gems by musical duo Laxmikant – Pyarelal including Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai, Aa Bata De and Duniya Jab Jalti Hai, etc. The film consolidated Dharmendra’s position at the box office further adding another feather to his cap.
4. Prem Nagar (24 May) (Budget: 1.00 Crore, Domestic: 2.25 Crores, Worldwide: 04.35 Crores)
Prem Nagar was a remake of the Telugu film Prema Nagar released in 1971. Directed by K. S. Prakash Rao, the romantic drama starring Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini, Aruna Irani, Ashok Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Prem Chopra, Asrani, and Jagdeep ended up in fourth position among the top 10 Bollywood Movies of 1974. The film had memorable music by S.D. Burman included songs such as Yeh Laal Rang, Bye Bye Miss Good Night, Kiska Mahal Hai, etc.
5. Bidaai (18 October) (Budget: 85 Lakhs, Domestic: 2.20 Crores, Worldwide: 04.25 Crores)
L.V. Prasad’s Bidaai was a remake of the Telugu hit film Thalla? Pellama? released in 1970. Starring Jeetendra, Leena Chandavarkar, Durga Khote, Satyen Kappu and Madan Puri, the family drama was undoubtedly one of the best films of 1974 with a box office collection of 2.20 crores and Durga Khote’s unforgettable performance that fetched her that year’s Filmfare Award for ‘Best Supporting Actress’.
6. Amir Garib (02 August) (Budget: 80 Lakhs, Domestic: 2.10 Crores, Worldwide: 04.15 Crores)
Rated among the best Indian films of 1974, Amir Garib was produced and directed by Mohan Kumar starring Dev Anand, Hema Malini, Tanuja, Ranjeet, and Premnath in the main cast. The action–crime drama had a Robin Hood-based theme to it with Dev Anand stealing the rich and distributing the loot among the poor. Amir Garib had music by Laxmikant–Pyarelal and lyrics by Anand Bakshi.
7. Roti (18 October) (Budget: 95 Lakhs, Domestic: 2.00 Crores, Worldwide: 4.00 Crores)
Manmohan Desai’s Roti not only figures among the top 10 films of 1974 but also is remembered as one of Rajesh Khanna’s most memorable performances. The action–crime drama that also starred Mumtaz, Asrani, Om Prakash, Nirupa Roy, Sujit Kumar, Jeevan, and Jagdeep, had superhit songs by Laxmikant – Pyarelal such as Yaar Hamari Baat Suno, Gore Rang Pe Na, Naach Meri Bulbul, Yeh Jo Public Hai, etc.
8. Patthar Aur Payal (13 December) (Budget: 90 Lakhs, Domestic: 1.75 Crores, Worldwide: 03.45 Crores)
Director Harmesh Malhotra’s dacoit revenge drama Patthar Aur Payal starring Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Vinod Khanna, Ajit, Rajendranath, and Iftekhar was placed eighth among Bollywood’s top grossers of 1974. Based on two brothers who become dacoits to seek revenge after their father is falsely given a death sentence, Patthar Aur Payal catapulted director Harmesh Malhotra into the big league.
9. Aap Ki Kasam (03 May) (Budget: 90 Lakhs, Domestic: 1.60 Crores, Worldwide: 03.25 Crores)
Producer turned director J. Om Prakash’s Aap Ki Kasam ended up at the ninth position among the top 10 highest-grossing Bollywood movies of 1974. Starring the hit pair of Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz along with Sanjeev Kumar, the romantic musical drama had commendable performances with chartbuster songs by R.D. Burman including Jai Jai Shiv Shankar, Karvatein Badalte Rahe, Zindagi Ke Safar, Suno Kaho, etc.
10. Haath Ki Safai (30 August) (Budget: 80 Lakhs, Domestic 1.50 Crores, Worldwide: 03 Crores)
Prakash Mehra’s Haath Ki Safai starring Vinod Khanna, Randhir Kapoor, Hema Malini, Simi Garewal, and Ranjeet was a runaway hit at the box office. Written by Salim–Javed, the film was based on the lost-and-found formula where two brothers get separated in childhood and are reunited after 20 long years. The film fetched Vinod Khanna his first Filmfare Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ while Hema Malini marked her singing debut.
