Ajay Devgn’s latest theatrical run has pushed him past a quiet but significant marker in the post-pandemic Hindi film business. With Drishyam 3 still collecting, his cumulative domestic net box-office total since cinemas reopened now stands at ₹1,703.67 crore, according to Koimoi’s actor ranking. He is now just ₹47.21 crore away from moving into third place among Bollywood actors since the Covid reopening.
The current release is doing much of the work. Drishyam 3 has added ₹323.75 crore in its first 12 days, and its weekday holds and weekend jumps have kept the film’s remaining run pointed toward another milestone rather than a long, uncertain wait.
The gap to third place
Devgn currently sits fourth in the cumulative India net collection table. The target is Akshaye Khanna, who holds third with ₹1,750.88 crore. The difference is precisely the number now in view: ₹47.21 crore. If Drishyam 3 adds that amount, Devgn’s personal post-Covid tally reaches the same mark and he moves past Khanna on the list.
Once that happens, the ranking would leave only two names ahead of him. That is a meaningful position in a market that has spent the post-pandemic years searching for dependable theatrical stars.
Where the ranking stands
- Sanjay Dutt: ₹3,902.54 crore
- Ranveer Singh: ₹2,374.46 crore
- Akshaye Khanna: ₹1,750.88 crore
- Ajay Devgn: ₹1,703.67 crore
- Akshay Kumar: ₹1,677.13 crore
Two details stand out. First, the list measures cumulative net collections, which means it factors in slate size and franchise returns along with individual hits. Devgn’s 14 post-Covid releases have compounded into the current number. Second, the gap to the top is wide: Sanjay Dutt’s total is ₹3,902.54 crore, and Ranveer Singh’s is ₹2,374.46 crore. For now, the realistic ascent is from fourth to third.
What this tells the Hindi cinema trade
Post-pandemic actor rankings are less about nostalgia and more about evidence. A star who climbed this list has demonstrated an ability to pull audiences across a slate, not just for an event film. Devgn’s move toward third place rests on franchises and a consistent release rhythm, with Drishyam 3 serving as the latest accelerator.
The coming months reinforce that reading. Golmaal 5 is slated for January 2027. When it opens, it should add to Devgn’s cumulative total. But Koimoi’s projection is realistic: the next release may widen his count without putting the top two slots within reach. The race worth watching now is the one to third.
What to watch next
The checkpoint is straightforward. If Drishyam 3 stays near its current pace, the ₹47.21 crore gap could close as soon as this weekend or during the following week. That would make Devgn the third-highest-grossing Bollywood actor post-Covid, behind Sanjay Dutt and Ranveer Singh. For a star whose box-office record now spans decades, the milestone is a reminder that the post-2020 chapter is still being written.
Source: Koimoi
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