Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Bollywood’s rising stars, Sara Ali Khan and Ananya Panday, have both seen five releases light up the silver screen since their debuts—but  latest box‑office tally shows Sara holds a commanding lead with an impressive *49% more cumulative collection. Here’s a deeper look at their careers and evolving dominance in India’s competitive film market.

Sara Ali Khan's journey began with Kedarnath, which grossed ₹62 crore. She has since featured in four more films, collectively pulling in a net of ₹562.89 crore across India. Her successes include Simmba and Sky Force, both crossing the coveted ₹100 crore marker—an achievement giving her a strong footing in the industry .

Ananya Panday’s debut with Student of the Year 2 in 2019 grossed ₹70.6 crore. Over the next five films, she has amassed a respectable ₹377.93 crore in total net collections. Her standout success lies in Dream Girl 2, her sole ₹100 crore-plus hit to date .

Highlighting the two stars’ box office resumes:

• Sara Ali Khan: Five films with a cumulative net of ₹562.89 crore; two ₹100 crore hits (Simmba, Sky Force); two other releases averaging around ₹120 crore average.

• Ananya Panday: Five films totaling ₹377.93 crore; one ₹100 crore entry (Dream Girl 2); remaining titles hovering near ₹70–80 crore each .

Sara’s dominance stems largely from her performance in Simmba, which garnered nearly ₹250 crore alone—tilting the scale heavily in her favor. Her dual inclusion in the ₹100 crore club underscores her commercial weight, especially contrasted with Panday’s singular blockbuster outing.

Industry analysts point out that Ananya’s path reflects consistency. With each role she’s undertaken—be they in Student of the Year 2, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, or the Pati Patni Aur Woh remake—she has shown gradual improvement both critically and commercially .

For Sara, the most recent release Metro In Dino opposite Aditya Roy Kapur has posted a solid opening, with positive audience reviews, though it remains to be seen if it can breach the ₹100 cr mark as her previous hits did.

Ananya,  continues riding the wave of Dream Girl 2, embracing more diverse scripts and eyeing sustained growth rather than just commercial spikes.

Both actresses reflect evolving career strategies: Sara as the bankable star with mass-market appeal and franchise power; Ananya as a rising talent building versatility and credibility over time.

Looking ahead, the outcome of this box-office rivalry will depend heavily on future roles, release strategies, and audience reception. Metro In Dino, Kesari Chapter 2, and Dream Girl 2’s digital lifespan offer early hints, but Bollywood's appetite for emerging stars remains unpredictable.

Sara Ali Khan currently leads Ananya Panday in cumulative box-office performance—₹562.9 crore to ₹377.9 crore—thanks to two big ₹100 crore blockbusters versus Ananya's one. As both continue expanding their filmography, the question remains whether Sara will cement her mass-appeal stardom, or Ananya will harness her versatility for long-term ascent.