As Batwara 1947 and Awarapan 2 gear up to compete this Independence Day weekend, here's a look at how the window has fared for Bollywood in the last 10 years. The Independence Day weekend, historically, has been one reserved for big, tentpole films. As Sunny Deol's Batwara 1947 gears up for a clash with Emraan Hashmi's Awarapan 2 this year, here's a lowdown on how the lucrative release window has fared for Hindi films in the last 10 years Stills from Stree 2, Gadar 2, Mission Mangal.(all figures all India collections):2016- August 12- Mohenjo Daro vs RustomStills from Rustom, Mohenjo DaroIt was termed a battle of the titans, as Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan both were ready with their films in the weekend leading up to Independence Day. Akshay’s film was based on the sensational, real-life Nanavati case, while Hrithik’s was a love story set in the times of the Mohenjodaro civilisation. Akshay won, with Rustom garnering not just ₹127 crores in ticket sales in India, but also fetching him a National Award for Best Actor. Mohenjodaro, on the other hand, earned ₹58 crores (all-India) and sealed its fate.2017- August 11- Toilet: Ek Prem KathaStill from Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.Akshay Kumar was truly on a golden streak back then, with back to back hit films to his credit. Amidst this came Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, emphasising on the need for better sanitation measures in the country. Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, the film was a big success, collecting ₹134 crores across India. It was even praised by the likes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and billionaire businessman & philanthropist Bill Gates.2018- August 15- Gold vs Satyameva JayateStill from Satyameva Jayate, poster of GoldThe National Holiday saw two films, both possessing patriotic flavor, locking horns. John Abraham and Manoj Bajpayee faced off against each other in Satyameva Jayate, while off screen it was John versus Akshay Kumar’s Gold. The latter was a sports drama, based on India’s national hockey team’s journey to the 1948 Summer Olympics. SJ earned ₹80 crores, and Gold collected ₹104 crores, both ultimately managing to attract ample audiences to the theatres.2019- August 15- Batla House vs Mission MangalStills from Batla House, Mission MangalAkshay vs John, second year in a row! 2019 was a repeat of 2018, as the two stars decided to release their films on the same Independence Day weekend. This time too, their films had enough patriotism to pose stiff competition to each other. Mission Mangal, a multi-starrer, was about India’s first interplanetary expedition, the Mars Orbiter Mission, while Batla House was based on the 2008 encounter at Batla House in Mumbai. Both films worked, with Akshay’s film earning ₹203 crores, and John’s film collecting ₹87 crores.2020- August 14- Khuda Haafiz (OTT)Khuda Haafiz.This year, the Covid pandemic affected life everywhere. With movie theatres shut everywhere, it was left to OTT to entertain people within their homes. Vidyut Jammwal’s Khuda Haafiz released on JioHotstar (then Disney+ Hotstar).2021- August 13- Bhuj: The Pride of India (OTT)Still from BhujWith movie theatres still shut, 2021 too saw an OTT release on the Independence Day weekend: Ajay Devgn’s multi-starrer Bhuj: The Pride of India.2022- August 11- Laal Singh Chaddha vs Raksha Bandhan2022 saw people returning to theatres, but the weekend leading up to Independence Day was a let down. Two superstars released their films alongside, yet none found enough takers. Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha, affected by the negativity preceding its release, only managed to collect close to ₹59 crores. Akshay’s Raksha Bandhan, a heartfelt story about the bond between a brother and his sisters, earned ₹45 crores.2023- August 11- Gadar 2 vs OMG 2Stills from Gadar 2, OMG 22023 brought back memories of how high-voltage the I-Day weekend can be for the film industry. Two superstars bounced back massively with their respective films. Sunny Deol, at the age of 65, single handedly delivered a blockbuster, a sequel to his 2001 iconic hit Gadar. Akshay, with a film based on an unconventional subject, silenced all naysayers. Gadar 2 earned a cool ₹525 crores, and OMG 2 ₹150 crores.2024- August 15- Khel Khel Mein vs Vedaa vs Stree 2Akshay Kumar vs John Abraham returned, but this time, the competition wasn’t as close. In fact, there was none at all, because Stree 2: Sarkate Ka Aatank blew everything out of the water. Akshay’s Khel Khel Mein was an average affair ( ₹40 crores), John’s Vedaa was a flop ( ₹20 crores). Stree 2, on the other hand, crossed ₹627 crores, in India alone.2025- August 14- War 2Still from War 2.Hrithik Roshan-Jr NTR’s War 2 released solo at the box office, with everyone expecting it to do wonders. However, it barely managed to earn ₹185 crores, riding purely on the hype of the original War, which had been a superhit.Rishabh Suri writes for the daily Entertainment & Lifestyle supplement HT City. From Bollywood to Hollywood, from Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam films, to OTT and television- he covers it all.Hrithik RoshanAkshay KumarJohn AbrahamIndependence DayBollywoodVidyut JammwalAamir KhanSunny DeolSee Less