Akshay Kumar and Sunny Deol, two of Bollywood’s biggest stars, are set to face off in a major box office clash in January 2025. Both actors, known for their action-packed performances, will be releasing their highly anticipated films around the same time. While Sunny Deol’s Lahore 1947 is set to hit theaters, Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force might release just two days before it. This clash has already created a buzz among fans and industry insiders, especially since Akshay Kumar has a long history of successful releases in January.
Akshay Kumar’s Strong Record in January
Akshay Kumar has been a consistent performer when it comes to January releases. Over the years, his films released around Republic Day have often garnered good collections and critical acclaim. Let’s take a look at some of his most notable January releases:
- Saugandh (1991): Akshay’s first film, Saugandh, hit theaters on 25 January 1991. Directed by Raj Sippy, the film introduced Akshay Kumar to Bollywood in the role of Shiv. Although the movie did not become a blockbuster, it performed decently and marked the beginning of Akshay’s long and successful career.
- Elaan (1994): Released on 21 January 1994, Elaan was a significant step for Akshay. With Madhu and Amrish Puri in pivotal roles, the movie was directed by Guddu Dhanoa. Interestingly, Salman Khan was the original choice for the lead, but Akshay Kumar stepped in and made the film a success. Made on a budget of ₹1.85 crore, it earned ₹8.66 crore at the box office, becoming a super hit.
- Khakee (2004): On 23 January 2004, Akshay starred in the action thriller Khakee, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. Alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, and Aishwarya Rai, Akshay’s role stood out in this multi-starrer film. With a budget of ₹26 crore, Khakee earned ₹50 crore worldwide, making it the fifth highest-grossing film of that year.
- Baby (2015): Another Republic Day success for Akshay was Baby, released on 23 January 2015. Directed by Neeraj Pandey, this action spy thriller saw Akshay play the role of Ajay Singh Rajput, alongside a star-studded cast including Anupam Kher, Rana Daggubati, and Taapsee Pannu. The movie received critical praise and earned over ₹100 crore, becoming a semi-hit.
- Airlift (2016): Airlift, released on 22 January 2016, was one of Akshay’s finest performances. Based on the true story of the Iraq-Kuwait war, the film, directed by Raja Krishna, became a box office hit. It earned high praise for its gripping storyline and Akshay’s portrayal of a hero in one of India’s biggest civilian evacuations. With a budget of ₹30 crore, the film did exceptionally well.
Sunny Deol’s Comeback with Lahore 1947
While Akshay Kumar’s track record in January is undeniably strong, Sunny Deol is not someone to be underestimated. Sunny had a phenomenal year in 2023 with Gadar 2, which broke several box office records and brought him back into the limelight. Fans are eagerly waiting for his next big release, Lahore 1947, which is set to release on 26 January 2025. The film is being produced by Aamir Khan, and rumors suggest that Aamir might make a cameo appearance as well.
Lahore 1947 tells the story of a tumultuous time in India’s history, and the powerful narrative is expected to resonate with the audience just like Gadar 2. Sunny’s strong fan base and the patriotic theme of the movie could work in his favor, just as it did for Gadar 2.
Akshay vs. Sunny: The Big Clash
The potential clash between Sky Force and Lahore 1947 is already a hot topic of discussion. While Sunny Deol is riding high on the success of Gadar 2, Akshay Kumar’s consistent performance in January releases makes him a formidable opponent.
For Akshay Kumar, Sky Force is expected to be a high-octane action film, and given his past successes during Republic Day week, fans have high hopes. The makers of Sky Force have not yet finalized the release date, but if it comes out on 24 January 2025, it will be Akshay’s sixth film to release in this slot. With his past success around this time, Akshay has a strong chance of taking the lead in this box office race.
The Past Clashes
This isn’t the first time Akshay and Sunny have gone head-to-head at the box office. In 2023, their films OMG 2 and Gadar 2 were released around the same time, and Gadar 2 outshined OMG 2 at the box office. While OMG 2 performed decently, Gadar 2 was a massive hit, crossing several milestones and winning over the audience.
Sunny’s record for Republic Day releases includes:
- Vishwatma (1992): Released on 24 January 1992, Vishwatma featured a star-studded cast, including Naseeruddin Shah, Chunky Pandey, and Divya Bharti. Directed by Rajiv Rai, the movie was an average grosser, earning ₹9.5 crore at the box office.
- Maa Tujhe Salaam (2002): Sunny’s patriotic film Maa Tujhe Salaam was released on 25 January 2002. Starring Tabu and Arbaaz Khan alongside Sunny, the movie failed to impress the audience and was considered a flop.
Despite a mixed track record for Sunny in January releases, his recent success with Gadar 2 gives him a significant advantage going into this clash.
What to Expect in 2025
The clash between Akshay Kumar and Sunny Deol in January 2025 is shaping up to be one of the biggest box office battles of the year. With Sky Force and Lahore 1947, both actors are bringing their A-game to the screen, and fans are eagerly waiting to see who comes out on top. Will Akshay continue his Republic Day winning streak, or will Sunny’s patriotic film strike a chord with the audience once again? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – 2025 is going to start with a bang for Bollywood fans!
