Director K. Asif
· Cast Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala
· Released 5 Aug 1960
India Nett
₹1.1 Cr
After GST
Overseas
₹₹0.4 Cr
International gross
Budget
₹1.5 Cr
Production cost
Boxoffy VerdictAll-Time Blockbuster
Mughal-e-Azam is classified as an All-Time Blockbuster — Boxoffy's highest verdict, reserved for films that permanently altered the commercial landscape of Indian cinema. With ₹1.1 Cr India nett against a reported budget of ₹1.5 Cr, representing a 73% return on production cost, it belongs to a small elite of films that transcend their release year and enter the cultural record. An All-Time Blockbuster does not just recoup costs — it redefines what a successful film can be.
Boxoffy Read
Mughal-e-Azam took 16 years to make, bankrupted its producers twice, and still became the highest-grossing Indian film of its era — a record it held for over a decade. K. Asif's obsessive attention to period authenticity meant genuine Mughal artefacts, 2,000 real soldiers in battle sequences, and costumes of actual silk and zardozi. The film's 2004 colourised re-release became a box office event, proving that certain films transcend the era they were made in entirely.
Financial AnalysisBox Office vs Budget
Mughal-e-Azam was reportedly made on a budget of ₹1.5 Cr. Against that investment, the film collected ₹1.1 Cr India nett — a 0.7x multiple on production cost and a 73% return on the reported budget.
Break-even at the Indian box office typically requires approximately 1.5x the production budget once prints, advertising and distribution costs are factored in — placing the break-even threshold for Mughal-e-Azam at roughly ₹2 Cr India nett. The film fell short of this threshold, resulting in the All-Time Blockbuster verdict.
₹0Break-even ~₹2 Cr₹1.1 Cr collected
Frequently Asked Questions
Mughal-e-Azam is classified as a All-Time Blockbuster by Boxoffy. The film collected ₹1.1 Cr India nett against a reported budget of ₹1.5 Cr. The film was commercially profitable.
Mughal-e-Azam collected ₹1.1 Cr India nett at the box office. The India nett figure represents collections after GST extraction, as reported by Box Office India and cross-referenced with Sacnilk and Pinkvilla.
Mughal-e-Azam released in 1960 and is likely available on major Indian streaming platforms. Check Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, JioHotstar, ZEE5 and SonyLIV for current availability, as OTT rights shift periodically.
Mughal-e-Azam was directed by K. Asif. The 1960 Hindi film earned a All-Time Blockbuster verdict at the Indian box office, collecting ₹1.1 Cr India nett.