Bollywood’s biggest crossover: YRF spy universe breaks records with 2900 crore global collections

For the first time ever, the YRF Spy Universe, led by the big three of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Hrithik Roshan—has become the highest-grossing film franchise of India. Collecting a massive ₹2,900 crore worldwide, the franchise has trumped giant hits such as Baahubali, Pushpa, and KGF. Produced under Yash Raj Films, the film is lead by Aditya Chopra.

A Star-Studded Universe

The YRF Spy Universe is a celebration of Bollywood’s biggest icons. With three Salman Khan-led Tiger films (Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, and Tiger 3), Hrithik Roshan’s War, and Shah Rukh Khan‘s blockbuster Pathaan, the franchise has solidified its place as a global phenomenon.

Breaking down the numbers:

• Tiger Series: ₹1,366 crore globally
• Pathaan: ₹1,050 crore globally
• War: ₹475 crore globally

With this strategic blend of solo stories, star power, and interconnected narratives, this franchise has catapulted to unparalleled success.

The YRF Spy Universe Evolution

The YRF Spy Universe started in 2012 with Ek Tha Tiger. Initially, the films were standalone blockbusters with loosely connected themes. However, during the pandemic, Aditya Chopra envisioned a shared cinematic universe akin to Hollywood’s Marvel franchise. This vision materialized in 2023 when Pathaan became the franchise’s official unifier, featuring high-profile crossovers and cameos.

The narrative was further expanded later that year with Tiger 3, which deepened the intrigue and laid the groundwork for future films.

Surpassing India’s Greatest Franchises

Baahubali sat tall, sitting with ₹2,300 crore in two films. Then came Pushpa at ₹2,000 crore, KGF at ₹1,500 crore, and then Rohit Shetty’s Cop Universe at ₹1,430 crore. How it’s different is the way YRF managed to unify standalone stories to a whole cinematic universe.

What’s Next for the Spy Universe?

The YRF Spy Universe is all set to break another record. Two big releases are scheduled for 2025:

1. War 2: Hrithik Roshan reprises his role as Kabir in an electrifying showdown against Jr NTR. With pan-India appeal, the film is expected to dominate when it hits theaters in October.
2. Alpha: The first woman-centric film will see the light on December 25, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari. This marks a bold shift in the entire universe and new doors are opened, along with barriers and global reach breaking.

Success for Pushpa 2: The Rule in the last few months has bred competitiveness, but YRF Spy Universe does not show any signs of slowing down. With ₹3,000-crore and ₹4,000-crore milestones being within reach, Bollywood’s answer to Hollywood’s mega-franchises is here to stay.

As Shah Rukh, Salman, Hrithik, and now Alia Bhatt join forces, the YRF Spy Universe is all set to redefine Bollywood’s global identity. Fans can only watch in anticipation as this cinematic empire continues its ascent to unprecedented heights.