There is a marked difference in the standing of the leading ladies in 2016 v/s the ones who topped the charts in 2015. Deepika Padukone led from the front in 2015 but didn't have a single release in 2016. Priyanka Chopra was in Top-3 but she is nowhere this time around due to Jai Gangaajal as her solo release and subsequently, her Hollywood foray. Kangna Ranaut didn't have a release and Shruti Haasan, surprise inclusion in 2015 (courtesy Welcome Back and Gabbar Is Back) couldn't make much headway due to her solitary release Rocky Handsome. However, Anushka Sharma moved to the top of the charts, Jacqueline Fernandez made good progress too, Alia Bhatt stayed consistent and Kareena Kapoor Khan as well as Sonam Kapoor retained their standings in the Top-10 charts.
Anushka Sharma – 412.93 crore [Sultan - 300.45 crore, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil - 112.48 crore], Average moolah per release: approx. 206.5 crore
8 years in the business and one can finally say that Anushka Sharma has got her due. For the first time in her career, she is closing a year as the highest grossing actress of the year. Her Sultan emerged as an All Time Blockbuster and despite Salman Khan in the title role, she had an equal role in the film. Ditto for Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, a Hit, where was a steady companion of Ranbir Kapoor in an author backed role.
Jacqueline Fernandez – 217.75 crore [Housefull 3 – 109.14 crore, Dishoom - 70 crore, A Flying Jatt–38.61 crore], Average moolah per release: approx. 72.58 crore
She was a part of an ensemble cast in Housefull 3 and in the process ended up gaining a 100 crore hit. In Dishoom, she was one of the three characters instead of being a quintessential leading lady per se and bagged yet another fair success to her name. A Flying Jatt didn't quite win her many brownie points and the film wasn't successful either. However, on television it did wonderful business. All in all, a good show.
Alia Bhatt - 201.72 crore [Kapoor & Sons - 73.29 crore, Dear Zindagi– 68.1 crore, Udta Punjab – 60.33 crore], Average moolah per release: approx. 67.24 crore
Alia Bhatt had a good year as she chose three different, though multiple-centric films. She was a part of an ensemble starrer Kapoor & Sons and though she had a relatively smaller part to play, the film's success still set the stage for her. Udta Punjab showed what she is made of as an actress and the film got her some very good recognition. Later, she did Dear Zindagi which again did well. Three successes in a row!
Nargis Fakhri– 150.97 crore [Housefull 3 – 109.14 crore, Azhar– 33.03 crore, Banjo –8.8 crore], Average moolah per release: approx. 50.32 crore
One Housefull 3 has allowed Nargis Fakhri to find her place in the charts. Though she had a minimal part to play in the ensemble affair, she can gain from the Hit tag that the film received. As for her two other films, Azhar and Banjo, none set the Box Office on fire. She may have managed a 100 crore success in a multi-starrer affair but now needs to deliver solo in order to find herself anywhere in the charts in 2017.
Nimrat Kaur – 128.1 crore [Airlift – 128.1 crore], Average moolah per release: approx. 128.1 crore
Right at the beginning of 2016, Nimrat Kaur was a part of the first success in Bollywood, Airlift. She was more than just an accompanying partner of Akshay Kumar in the film and actually demonstrated her good acting skills in a couple of very important films. Though she has stepped into the 100 crore club with this film, surprisingly Nimrat hasn't signed a new film ever since. One waits to see what she picks up next.
Ileana D'Cruz– 127.49 crore [Rustom– 127.49 crore], Average moolah per release: approx. 127.49 crore
She started her Bollywood stint with a 100 crore affair, Barfi! and followed it up with a reasonably successful Main Tera Hero. It took her some time though to find herself in the thick of things and that happened with Rustom where she played a woman with grey shades. With Akshay Kumar driving the show, Ileana D'Cruz has managed a Superhit to her name. She now needs to deliver with Mubarakan and Baadshaho.
Kareena Kapoor Khan – 112.64 crore [Udta Punjab – 60.33 crore, Ki &Ka– 52.31 crore], Average moolah per release: approx. 56.32 crore
Staying on to be consistent as ever, Kareena Kapoor Khan was seen in two relevant performance oriented roles in Udta Punjab and Ki &Ka. She had contrasting parts to play in both films and was appreciated. With decent business coming in from both flicks, Kareena ensured that her stocks were managed well before she headed for her maternity leave. Come 2017 and she would be returning with Veerey Di Wedding.
Shraddha Kapoor - 86.81 crore [Baaghi – 76.34 crore, Rock On 2 - 10.47 crore], Average moolah per release: approx. 43.40 crore
2016 was a very mixed year for Shraddha Kapoor. While she had a Superhit to her name in Baaghi, she also delivered an ultra disaster in Rock On 2. Former had her catering to the masses and she met some with a rousing reception. On the other hand latter had her aiming for the multiplex 'junta' and no one even bothered to check out what the film was all about. She is expected to bounce back with OK Jaanu.
Sonam Kapoor - 75.61 crore [Neerja - 75.61 crore], Average moolah per release: approx. 75.61 crore
With just a single film to her name, Sonam Kapoor hit a six! Neerja was a film that didn't arrive with much of anticipation. However, the film grew very well after it fetched all around good response from audiences as well as critics. As a result, the film ended up going past the 75 crore mark and emerged as a Superhit. Sonam fetched a lot of respect as an actress and would now be seen in Veerey Di Wedding.
Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tariang– 65.39 crore [Pink – 65.39 crore], Average moolah per release: approx. 65.39 crore
Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tariang shocked the nation with Pink. The film was easily one of the most talked about of the year and led to discussions and debated galore. With Amitabh Bachchan as a strong pillar of support, the three young woman excelled. Taapsee now has a strong of releases in 2017 (five at last count) while Kirti is Madhur Bhandarkar's central protagonist in Main, Indu.
Disclaimers
1. Only Hindi film releases have been counted (no dubbed versions)
2. Only India business has been considered (no overseas count)
3. Only lead roles have been considered (no cameos, special appearances)
4. Only those actors have been considered whose films have generated combined revenue of at least 60 crore at the Box Office
5. Only those actors have been considered who have delivered at least one success as a solo heroine
6. Only Box Office business has been considered (and not moolah generated from satellite, music, home video, other digital rights etc.)
7. All collections as per Bollywood Hungama source and research
