Top 10 Highest Grossers Of 1975 That Turn 50 In 2025
Posted On: 30 Jan 2025 | Last Updated : 30 Jan 2025 | Views : 236
The year 1975 was a golden era for cinema, producing some of the most iconic films that continue to leave a lasting impact. As these classics prepare to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2025, it's the perfect time to revisit the highest-grossing films of that memorable year. From groundbreaking storytelling to unforgettable performances, these movies dominated box offices and cemented their place in cinematic history. This list of the top 10 highest-grossing films of 1975 showcases a mix of action, drama, and adventure, reflecting the diverse tastes of audiences of that era while highlighting their enduring legacy.
1. Sholay (15 August) (Budget: 3.00 Cr, Domestic: 15.00 Cr, Worldwide: 30.00 Cr)
Ramesh Sippy’s all-time blockbuster Sholay rewrote box office history and may never see another film emulating or creating such euphoria witnessed back then in 1975. The iconic action thriller drama written by Salim - Javed not only celebrates its 50th year of release this year but remains India’s evergreen cult classic that will go down as the greatest motion picture of Indian cinema ever to be made. Starring Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Amjad Khan, Mac Mohan, Sachin, Leela Mishra, A.K. Hangal, Asrani, Iftekhar and others are still remembered by their characters in the film. What more can one say or write about this all-time highest-grosser of 1975 and one of the longest-running Bollywood movies in theatres?
2. Jai Santoshi Maa (30 May) (Budget: 0.65 Lakhs, Domestic: 5.00 Cr, Worldwide: 10.00 Cr)
Director Vijay Sharma’s blockbuster sleeper hit Jai Santoshi Maa came from nowhere to shatter all previous box office records set before 1975. Starring lesser-known actors like Bharat Bhushan, Kanan Kaushal, Ashish Kumar, and Anita Guha, Jai Santoshi Maa spread like wildfire, with every housewife turning a devotee of goddess Santoshi Maa, who is believed to bless her followers specially. Actress Anita Guha became a household name and demi-goddess of sorts after playing the titular role in the film, while music director C. Arjun’s title song, sung by Usha Mangeshkar – Main To Aarti Utaaroon Re… became an instant chartbuster. The mythological classic became the second highest grosser of 1975 at the box office.
3. Sanyasi (17 October) (Budget: 0.82 Lakhs, Domestic: 4.50 Cr, Worldwide: 9.00 Cr)
Following close to the success of Jai Santoshi Maa was Sohanlal Kanwar's action-revenge drama, Sanyasi. Starring Manoj Kumar, Hema Malini, Premnath, Prem Chopra & Pran, Sanyasi opened big at the box office with super hit music by Shankar - Jaikishan that included hits like Chal Sanyasi Mandir Mein, Karam Kiye Jaa Phal Ki Ichcha, Sun Bal Brahmachari Main Hoon Kanya Kunwari and others. The film's success was its theme, which revolved around the positive values of the Hindu religion and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. The film ended up as the third-highest grosser of the year.
4. Deewaar (24 January) (Budget: 1.50 Cr, Domestic: 4.25 Cr, Worldwide: 7.40 Cr)
Yash Chopra’s all-time blockbuster Deewaar set the tone for the year 1975. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Parveen Babi, Shashi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Nirupa Roy, Iftekhar and Madan Puri, Deewaar not only catapulted Amitabh Bachchan to superstardom but remains one of Salim - Javed’s best works to date and a textbook film for many aspiring screenwriters. The dialogues and performances continue to rule the roost to this day, making it one of Indian cinema’s landmark films. The action-thriller drama became the fourth-highest-grosser of 1975 at the box office.
5. Pratiggya (27 June) (Budget: 1.00 Cr, Domestic: 3.50 Cr, Worldwide: 6.87 Cr)
Director Dulal Guha's Pratiggya starring Dharmendra, Hema Malini, and Ajit, was almost a remake of Mera Gaon Mera Desh, which retold the story of a criminal (played by Dharmendra) who is mistaken for being a cop and lands up in a village that lived under the tyranny of a dacoit. Pratiggya established Dharmendra as a producer along with Hema Malini’s supremacy at the box office, adding another hit to their respective careers. The film became the fifth highest box office earner of 1975.
6. Rafoo Chakkar (16 May) (Budget: 0.85 Lakhs, Domestic: 2.50 Cr, Worldwide: 4.40 Cr)
Director Narendra Bedi’s Hindi adaptation of the 1959 American film Some Like It Hot was remade in Hindi as Rafoo Chakkar starring Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Paintal, Asrani, Madan Puri, along with Rajindernath and Anwar Hussain. Rafoo Chakkar was a laugh-a-riot fun film where Rishi Kapoor and Paintal dress up like girls to escape the clutches of murderers and join a group of girls on their way to Kashmir. The songs by Kalyanji - Anandji were chartbusters, while Rishi Kapoor cemented his place as a romantic hero among other big stars. The film ended up becoming the sixth-highest-grosser of that year.
7. Warrant (07 November) (Budget: 0.80 Lakhs, Domestic: 2.25 Cr, Worldwide: 4.00 Cr)
Pramod Chakraborty's Warrant was a typical action crime masala thriller starring Dev Anand, Zeenat Aman, Pran, Dara Singh and Ajit that raked in the much-needed moolah. The film's success confirmed that Dev Anand was still a sealable star and could give other younger actors a run for their money. The songs composed by R.D. Burman and penned by Anand Bakshi contributed to the film’s success, which included - Ruk Jaana O Jaana, Sun Bhai Baaraati, Main Tumse Mohabbat Karti Hoon, and Ladi Nazariya Ladi. The film ranked seventh in the list of highest box office grossers of 1975.
8. Chori Mera Kaam (02 May) (Budget: 0.85 Lakhs, Domestic: 2.00 Cr, Worldwide: 3.50 Cr)
Chori Mera Kaam was another action crime thriller from the stable of maverick director Brij Sadanah. The movie starring Ashok Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Zeenat Aman, Pran, Anwar Hussain, Iftekhar, Raza Murad and Deven Verma was a typical 70s masala movie having all the ingredients for a box office success. Kalyanji - Anandji’s songs and Deven Verma’s (won his first Filmfare Award for Best Comedian) comic act contributed majorly to its box office success. The film was a profitable proposition, making it the eighth-highest earner of 1975.
9. Dharmatma (09 May) (Budget: 1.00 Cr, Domestic: 1.75 Cr, Worldwide: 3.25 Cr)
Inspired by Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather (1972), Feroz Khan’s Dharmatma was a runaway hit after his successful directorial debut, Apradh (1972). The film starring Feroz Khan, Hema Malini, Rekha, Premnath, Danny Denzongpa, Ranjeet, Satyen Kappu, Farida Jalal and Sudheer had great songs by music director duo Kalyanji - Anandji while the ‘Buzkashi’ game, shot exclusively in Afghanistan, remains the highlight of the film till date. Dharmatma ended up becoming the ninth highest grosser of 1975 at the box office that year.
10. Khel Khel Mein (23 May) (Budget: 0.90 Lakh, Domestic: 1.70 Cr, Worldwide: 3.00 Cr)
Ravi Tandon’s Khel Khel Mein’s success resulted in Rishi Kapoor giving back-to-back hits along with Neetu Singh that year. The suspenseful, musical thriller drama also starred Rakesh Roshan, Aruna Irani, Satyen Kappu, Preeti Ganguly & Iftekhar. Each song by R.D. Burman and penned by Gulshan Bawra was a gem, including - Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karenge, Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, Humne Tumko Dekha, Sapna Mera Toot Gaya and Aaye Lo Pyaar Ke Din. The film was the tenth highest-grossing film of the year. The film was later remade as Khiladi (1992), starring Akshay Kumar, Ayesha Jhulka, Deepak Tijori, and Sabeeha, while Prem Chopra, Shakti Kapoor, Anant Mahadevan, and Johnny Lever played supporting roles in it.
