Over the last decade or so, China has slowly but steadily become one of Bollywood’s biggest money-spinners. What has surprised the trade is that some biggies have managed to collect 2-10 times more in China than what they did in India.

Aamir Khan, the pioneer

Aamir Khan created a market for the Indian movie industry in China, with his films like 3 Idiots, Dhoom 3, PK and is now one of the biggest stars in the People's Republic of China (PRC), thanks to the monstrous success of Dangal and his recent production Secret Superstar (where he did a small cameo).

Following are the collections of Aamir Khan’s movies in China:

• 3 Idiots: 2.2 mil$
• Dhoom 3: 3 mil$
• PK: 19.5 mil$
• Dangal: 193 mil$ (Rs. 1253 CR)
• Secret Superstar: 118 mil$ (Rs. 766 CR)

The other runners

While Aamir Khan has opened the floodgates and has firmly established his brand in China, the other Indian actors are also slowly making a dent in China, like what Salman has recently done with his Bajrangi Bhaijaan. The actor's emotional blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan has entered its 25th day in China today. The movie has grossed 42 mil$ (Rs. 273 CR) so far, and this is way higher than the entire overseas gross of the film from other markets. The total worldwide gross of the film is now nearing the Rs. 900 CR mark.

Shahrukh Khan hasn't found much success in China when he released his films like My Name is Khan and Happy New Year with underwhelming results.

How big is the Chinese market?

% of total ww box office gross

This has encouraged more Indian filmmakers to release their films in China, as the market has assured great returns for films with universal appeal and a strong female audience connect even if their run in the Indian homeland has been average. Aamir Khan’s Secret Superstar, which was a strictly average performer in India, grossed a whopping 118 mil$ (Rs. 766 CR) in China; it's the highest grossing import film of 2018 in China.

Baahubali makers have planned to release their 2nd part in China very soon, despite its prequel ending up as a poor venture there. Irrfan Khan starrer Hindi Medium will be released in China prior to that. Both these films are censored and ready to release in the PRC.

Will Kollywood capitalize on the Chinese market?

Back in 2015, leading Kollywood producer Aascar Ravichandran planned to release Shankar's I in a major way in China, as a sizable chunk of the film was shot there. That didn't happen! Considering its universal appeal, we now hope that at least 2.0 makes it to theaters in China in a grand manner and opens newer avenues for Tamil cinema.