Introduction to List of highest-grossing Indian films

Book excerpt: The Indian film industry, popularly known as Bollywood, is one of the largest in the world in terms of output and revenue. The Indian film industry is driven by its large domestic audience, which is estimated to be around 1.3 billion. The industry has produced several blockbusters that have earned massive revenues both in India and abroad. The list of highest-grossing Indian films is a compilation of such movies that have made a significant impact on the audience and have resulted in monumental revenues for their makers. The first Indian film, Raja Harishchandra, was made in 1913, and since then, the film industry has come a long way. From silent films to talkies, from black and white movies to Technicolor, from conventional storytelling to experimental cinema, the Indian film industry has evolved over the years. With changing times, the Indian audience has also evolved, and filmmakers have adapted themselves to cater to the changing tastes and preferences of the viewers. The List of highest-grossing Indian films is a testimony to the success of these filmmakers as it showcases the most successful and profitable movies made in India.