Kollywood

3 days ago

741 views

Crisis in Kollywood: Structural Shifts, OTT Market Corrections, and the Vacuum of Thalapathy Vijay's Retirement

The Tamil film industry, once the pioneer of the Pan-India wave, is currently facing a series of structural challenges. As 2025 draws to a close and the 2026 festival season kicks off with the postponement of Jana Nayagan, industry analysts are pointing toward a deeper crisis involving rising costs, shifting audience habits, and a massive power vacuum in the making. Thalapathy Vijay's transition into full-time politics following the release of Jana Nayagan is the most significant economic blow to the industry in recent years.According to theatre owners, Vijay's retirement is expected to result in a potential yearly loss of ₹10-20 Lakhs in revenue, a figure that sustains many small-scale exhibitors through leaner months. Vijay has been the primary driver for theater occupancy in Tamil Nadu, particularly in B and C centers, where his films consistently guaranteed footfalls regardless of critical reception. With his departure, exhibitors—who are already struggling with a lack of consistent hits in 2025—fear a permanent decline in the mass movie culture that has sustained single screens for decades. The digital and satellite marketplace is currently undergoing a significant bubble burst,marking a sharp correction in how Southern content is valued. Recent reports suggest that major OTT players have slashed their acquisition prices by 40% to 50% compared to 2024 levels. This shift reflects a move away from the aggressive, high-value bidding wars that characterized the post-pandemic era, as streaming platforms now prioritize sustainable returns over mere library expansion. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   This market correction has created a growing disparity between skyrocketing star salaries and the actual return on investment (ROI). While top-tier stars like Vijay, Ajith Kumar, and Rajinikanth continue to command remunerations between ₹150 crore and ₹250 crore, OTT buyers are no longer willing to pay inflated premiums. Platforms are increasingly demanding guaranteed Pan-India performance and proven theatrical footfalls before committing to high-value digital rights. Compounding these financial pressures is a deepening conflict between exhibitors and producers over the theatrical release window. Theater owners are advocating for a strict eight-week exclusive theatrical window starting in 2026 to protect the revenue of single screens and B&C centers. This demand has created significant friction with streaming partners, who typically favor a four-week window to capitalize on digital marketing momentum, further complicating the revenue models for upcoming big-budget releases. The postponement of Jana Nayagan—reportedly due to censor issues is a symptom of an industry in transition. As Kollywood prepares for a post-Vijay era, the focus is shifting toward content over stardom and Pan-India collaboration to survive the ongoing financial correction.

Kollywood

5 days ago

7075 views

Jana Nayagan Worldwide Pre-Sales: Thalapathy Vijay Starrer Crosses ₹50 Crore Mark; Shatters Records in Malaysia

Thalapathy Vijay's highly anticipated action thriller, Jana Nayagan, is creating a massive storm at the global box office even before its theatrical debut. With three days still remaining for the grand release, the film has officially surpassed the ₹50 Crore gross mark in worldwide pre-sales, signaling one of the biggest openings for a Tamil film in recent history. The film's performance in Malaysia has been nothing short of historic. Showing unprecedented momentum, Jana Nayagan reportedly eclipsed the pace of Rajinikanth's Coolie within just the first 1 hour and 30 minutes of bookings opening. Currently, after the first 24 hours, the film has sold 90,000+ tickets (grossing RM 2.1M+). While this already makes it the 3rd highest single-day sales of all time in Malaysia, it is now on the verge of overtaking Coolie (95K tickets) to claim the second spot, with Leo (108K tickets) holding the top record. Given the current trajectory, trade analysts expect the film to challenge the #1 position before its premiere.The Film Censorship Board of Malaysia has officially granted the film a '16' certification (suitable for ages 16 and above). In India, the advance booking is off to a flying start, particularly in the Southern states. In Kerala, the film has already amassed ₹2.36 Crore in pre-sales, cementing Vijay's status as a top-tier star in the neighboring state. According to early tracking data, the All-India 1st Day Advance Booking Gross (excluding blocked seats) stands at ₹5.86 Crore, with 202,784 tickets sold across 2,071 shows. When including blocked seats, the figure jumps significantly to ₹8.73 Crore. The average ticket price (ATP) is currently trending at ₹217. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   Despite the box office euphoria, the film is facing a minor legal speed bump. The Madras High Court has taken up a matter regarding the film's censor certificate. The hearing was adjourned today and is set to continue tomorrow. Fans and trade experts are closely watching the proceedings, though it is not currently expected to delay the film's scheduled release. Jana Nayagan is described as a high-octane political action drama centered on an upright and fearless police inspector. The narrative follows his quest to dismantle a vast and dangerous conspiracy involving an extremist group and a powerful politician—a plot that threatens the very core of Indian democracy. Jana Nayagan Pre-Sales Highlights (opening weekend): Worldwide Gross: ₹50 Cr+ (3 Days to go) Malaysia: RM 2.1M+ (90K+ tickets sold in 24 hrs) Kerala: ₹2 Cr India Tickets Sold: 2.02 Lakh+ For a detailed, real-time breakdown of show counts, ticket sales, and territory-wise gross, refer to the official report below: JanaNayagan Advance Booking Report

Kollywood

8 days ago

1170 views

Thalaivar 173 Officially Announced: Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan Join Forces; Cibi Chakaravarthi to Direct

The wait is finally over. In what is being hailed as the biggest collaboration in modern Tamil cinema, the legendary Superstar Rajinikanth and Ulaganayakan Kamal Haasan are officially coming together for the tentatively titled Thalaivar173. After weeks of rumors and a major directorial shuffle, Raaj Kamal Films International (RKFI) took to social media today to confirm that Cibi Chakaravarthi (Don fame) has been roped in to helm this prestigious project. While Rajinikanth leads the film as the protagonist, the project is being produced by Kamal Haasan and R. Mahendran under the iconic RKFI banner. This marks a historic reunion of the two doyens of Indian cinema, who last shared a professional association nearly 40 years ago. The announcement post carried the powerful tagline: Every HERO has a FAMILY, hinting at a high-octane family drama blended with Superstar-style action.The post also featured the hashtag #Arambikalama, a callback to Kamal Haasan’s famous line from Vikram, signaling the start of this monumental journey. Every HERO has a FAMILY#Arambikalama #Thalaivar173 #SuperStarPongal2027 @rajinikanth @ikamalhaasan @Dir_Cibi @anirudhofficial #Mahendran @APIfilms @homescreenent@RKFI @turmericmediaTM @magizhmandramPromo music : in-house pic.twitter.com/8s954ZIHUM— Turmeric Media (@turmericmediaTM) January 3, 2026 For director Cibi Chakaravarthi, this project is a miracle come true.Following the blockbuster success of his debut film Don, Cibi has landed the jackpot of directing his idol.In an emotional social media post, he shared: Once, a small-town boy's big dream was to meet his favourite star... today he has the biggest dream of directing his Superstar. Dreams do come true. Miracles do happen. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   The Rockstar Anirudh Ravichander is back to compose the music for Thalaivar. Having delivered consecutive chartbusters for Rajinikanth in Jailer, Vettaiyan, and Coolie, expectations are sky high for the album of Thalaivar 173. Initially, veteran director Sundar C was attached to the project in November 2025.However, he stepped down shortly after due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances. The transition to Cibi Chakaravarthi has brought fresh momentum to the project, with filming expected to begin shortly. The makers have locked the festive occasion of Pongal 2027 for the grand theatrical release.With the hashtag SuperStarPongal2027 already trending globally, the film is expected to be a massive Pan-Indian release.

Bollywood

15 days ago

8626 views

2025 Box Office Verdict:Dhurandhar's Double Crown: Beating Chhaava at Home and Coolie Overseas

As we approach the end of 2025, the Box Office has delivered a verdict unlike any year in the last decade. The era where a single Pan India blockbuster would blindly rule every territory is over. Instead, 2025 was the year of the Split Verdict.The data shows a fascinating disconnect between what the domestic audience wanted versus what the global audience paid for. With massive event films like War 2 and Sikandar stumbling and failing to unite these two worlds, the throne was left open for most of the year. However, as the year closes, Dhurandhar has emerged as the ultimate outlier, bridging this massive gap. By its 21st day (with early estimates of ₹26 Cr), it has officially done the impossible: it has surpassed Kantara: Chapter 1 to become the #1 film in India (Netting ₹633.5 Cr) and decimated Coolie's record to become the #1 film Overseas (Grossing $25.4 Million / ₹215 Cr). While 2025 was a year of One India, Two Realities, Dhurandhar stands as the only film to conquer both. Here is the definitive Territory Breakdown of 2025: The Fortress of the Bollywood vs. The Global Giants, and the one film that finally united them. THE NEW DOMESTIC EMPEROR (STILL RUNNING): Dhurandhar India Nett: ₹ 633.5 Cr [As of Day 21] | India Gross: ₹ 729 Cr | Footfalls: 2.6 Crore+ | Verdict: All-Time Blockbuster* While the year was defined by a divide, Dhurandhar arrived to shatter every record in the book. As of its 3rd Thursday (Day 21) with early estimates of ₹ 26.00 Cr, it has officially surpassed both Kantara: Chapter 1 and Chhaava to become the Highest Grossing Film of 2025 in India. Still running strong in theaters, it is the only film this year to cross the ₹630 Cr mark, proving that when a film strikes the right emotional chord, the sky is the limit. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) THE PAN-INDIA JUGGERNAUT: Kantara: Chapter 1 India Nett: ₹ 622.04 Cr (All Lang) | Footfalls: 3.41 Crore | Verdict: All-Time Blockbuster While Chhaava ruled the Hindi originals, Kantara was the force that united the nation for the majority of the year. It penetrated the traditional Bollywood markets with a ferocity rarely seen, grossing numbers that rivaled the biggest local stars. By diving deep into folklore and divinity, it proved that a story rooted in Indian soil transcends all language barriers. As per the Day-Wise Breakdown , it registered 3.41 Crore (34.1 Million) footfalls, and Worldwide Gross of ₹851 Cr. Until the arrival of Dhurandhar, it stood as the highest-grossing film of the year in India. THE DOMESTIC KING: Chhaava India Nett: ₹601.54 Cr | Footfalls: 3.05 Crore | Verdict: All-Time Blockbuster Vicky Kaushal's portrayal of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj didn't just entertain; it became a movement. While other biggies struggled to cross the ₹200 Cr mark, Chhaava pulled off the impossible—bringing the elderly, the youth, and families back to the cinemas together. It stands tall as a film that sustained a majestic 6-week run in the Bollywood belt, proving that for the Hindi industry, cultural pride is the new gold standard. It remains one of the few Bollywood films to cross the ₹600 Cr mark. (See the weekly trending chart Here ) (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) THE VOLUME SURVIVOR: War 2 India Nett: ₹ 236.55 Cr | Footfalls: 1.17 Crore | Verdict: Underperformer Numbers don't lie. While the film struggled to recover its massive budget (making it a trade underperformer), it still undeniably ruled the North in terms of visibility. The film registered a massive Opening Weekend of ₹123.75 Cr (Net); it generated high ticket sales initially. It proves that even when a movie doesn't work creatively, the sheer Star Power of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR is enough to drag the audience to the theaters. FILMS THAT WON THE OVERSEAS The box office divide of 2025 reveals a fascinating psychological shift. While the domestic audience in the Bollywood belt gravitated toward grounded storytelling, the international diaspora sought The Cinema of Spectacle. They embraced films that spoke a universal visual language—one of style, charisma, and scale. THE GLOBAL TITAN: Dhurandhar Overseas Gross: ₹ 215 Cr|Top Market: North America,UK,Australia | Verdict:All time Blockbuster Dhurandhar has surpassed every other 2025 release in the international circuit. While other films succeeded in specific pockets, Dhurandhar saw a massive, uniform surge across North America, and the UK, proving that when Content meets Swagger, the results are record-breaking. THE OVERSEAS CHAMPION: Coolie Overseas Gross: ₹ 180.5 Cr | Top Market: North America | Verdict:Average Rajinikanth remains the undisputed Emperor of the overseas market. The combination of stylish direction and Thalaiva’s swag meant that Coolie decimated records in the USA, Malaysia, and Singapore. For much of the year, it earned more dollars abroad than any Bollywood movie, proving that outside India, Star Power remains a massive draw. THE DARK HORSE: Saiyaara Overseas Gross: ₹171.5 Cr | Top Market: UK/Canada | Verdict: Super Hit The surprise of the year. While action movies fatigued the NRI audience, this romantic drama from Bollywood became the date-night movie of 2025. It stands as a top-performing Bollywood film in the overseas market, outperforming even War 2 in the UK and Canada. THE GULF GIANT: L2: Empuraan Overseas Gross: ₹142.25 Cr | Top Market: GCC/UAE | Verdict: Blockbuster Mohanlal's Lucifer sequel didn't just perform well; it ruled the Middle East. In the GCC region specifically, L2 sold more tickets than many massive Hindi releases, showcasing the massive power of South Indian cinema in the Gulf.

Bollywood

16 days ago

13950 views

Top 10 Highest-Grossing Indian Films of 2025 At The Worldwide Box Office

Mumbai, December 26 - Director Aditya Dhar's spy action thriller Dhurandhar is set to conclude 2025 as the highest-grossing Indian film of the year. Headlined by Ranveer Singh, the film has emerged as one of the biggest Indian blockbusters in recent times, with its rock-solid daily collections continuing to leave both trade and the industry stunned. Dhurandhar is marching towards the coveted 1000-crore milestone at the worldwide box office and shows no signs of slowing down. The film is expected to breach the landmark by its fourth Friday, making it the first Indian film of 2025 and the ninth of all time to enter the elite club. Given the current trends, the spy thriller is likely to end its theatrical run with a staggering lifetime total of over 1200 crores globally. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The second-biggest grosser of the year is Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1, the much-anticipated prequel to his 2022 blockbuster Kantara. The period folk action drama enjoyed a phenomenal run at the box office earlier this year, grossing over 850 crores worldwide. Notably, the prequel earned more than double the lifetime collection of the original film, which had amassed 408 crores during its release. Vicky Kaushal's historical action drama Chhaava, which released in February, secures the third position among the biggest Indian grossers of 2025 with a worldwide collection exceeding 800 crores. The film turned out to be one of the year's most significant blockbusters, comfortably surpassing trade expectations and gaining strong word of mouth across markets. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) At a time when big scale action spectacles are dominating the box office, Yash Raj Films' romantic drama Saiyaara emerged as a surprising standout performer. Featuring two newcomers, Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda, in lead roles, the film grossed close to 600 crores worldwide. It also created history by becoming the highest-grossing Indian romantic drama film of all time. Superstar Rajinikanth's highly awaited gangster action drama Coolie finished the year as the fifth-biggest grosser. However, expectations were significantly higher for the film, which was widely seen as Tamil cinema's strongest contender for a 1000-crore finish. Mixed word of mouth impacted its momentum, resulting in a worldwide gross slightly above the 500-crore mark. S. No. Movie Language Worldwide Gross 1 Dhurandhar Hindi ₹1000+ crore 2 Kantara Chapter 1 Kannada ₹852 crore 3 Chhaava Hindi ₹808 crore 4 Saiyaara Hindi ₹570 crore 5 Coolie Tamil ₹518 crore 6 War 2 Hindi ₹364 crore 7 Mahavatar Narsimha Hindi ₹327 crore 8 Lokah: Chapter 1 - Chandra Malayalam ₹304 crore 9 They Call Him OG Telugu ₹295 crore 10 Housefull 5 Hindi ₹289 crore Data as of December 26

Bollywood

16 days ago

4209 views

Shah Rukh Khan's Cameo In Rajinikanth-fronted Jailer 2 Confirmed? Here Is What We Know

Mumbai, December 25 — Speculation around superstar Shah Rukh Khan's possible involvement in Rajinikanth's much-awaited action drama Jailer 2 has taken the internet by storm. While the makers have been tight-lipped about the casting, veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty has reportedly spilt the beans on the same. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The latest wave of excitement around the much-talked-about cameo rumours was triggered after veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, who is said to be a part of Jailer 2, casually mentioned Shah Rukh Khan's name while talking about the film's ensemble cast in a recent interview with the Bengali media. Speaking to SITI Cinema, Mithun said in Bengali that Jailer 2 is one such story, with an ensemble of experienced stars joining the superstar. While mentioning the names, the veteran actor revealed that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh is also a part of the film, alongside Mohanlal, Ramya Krishnan, and Shivarajkumar. Mithun's inclusion of SRK immediately set social media abuzz, with many interpreting it as a confirmation of the Pathaan star's presence in the film. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) However, despite the strong buzz, there is no official confirmation from the makers of Jailer 2 as of now. Neither Sun Pictures nor director Nelson Dilipkumar has announced Shah Rukh Khan as part of the cast. Importantly, Mithun Chakraborty himself has not explicitly stated that SRK has signed the film or shot for it, leaving room for speculation that his comment may have been informal or misunderstood. If Shah Rukh Khan does come on board, it would mark a rare and massive crossover moment, uniting two of Indian cinema's biggest icons, Rajinikanth and SRK, on screen, even if only briefly. Given the success of Jailer (2023) and the sequel's ambitious scale, the makers may be keeping such surprises tightly under wraps. Jailer 2 is currently in production and is slated for a 2026 release. Stay tuned...

Bollywood

19 days ago

22543 views

Dhurandhar Overseas Box Office: Becomes First Indian Film of 2025 To Top 200 Crore Gross

Mumbai, December 23 – Ranveer Singh-fronted action spectacle Dhurandhar continues its dream run at the global box office and has now stormed past a major milestone. The Aditya Dhar directorial has become the first Indian film of 2025 to cross the 200 crore gross mark in overseas markets, underlining its massive international appeal. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film has been performing exceptionally well in key international territories such as North America, the UK, Australia, and parts of Europe. Its North America performance has been nothing short of exceptional, with already over $12 million. Strong opening weekends followed by steady weekday collections, coupled with positive word-of-mouth, have ensured sustained footfalls in overseas markets. With this feat, Dhurandhar has comfortably outperformed all other Indian releases of the year in overseas circuits, emerging as the undisputed leader of 2025 so far. The second biggest grosser is superstar Rajinikanth's Coolie, which minted 180.50 crores gross in international markets. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The overseas milestone further strengthens Dhurandhar's position as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 worldwide. Its overall global total is racing towards the next major benchmarks of 1000 crores gross, with the film already sitting among the biggest Indian overseas grossers of recent times. Backed by strong production values and a powerful ensemble cast featuring, the film has been a word of mouth phenomena. The momentum is expected to continue over the coming days, especially with holiday periods boosting collections in select territories. With 200 crore overseas now in the bag, Dhurandhar has only raised the bar for upcoming films. Stay tuned...

Bollywood

20 days ago

9377 views

Dhurandhar Overseas Box Office: Ranveer Singh-fronted Becomes Highest Indian Grosser of 2025, Beating Rajinikanth's Coolie

Mumbai, December 22 - Director Aditya Dhar's spy action thriller Dhurandhar has shattered a major record by becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of the year at the overseas box office, beating superstar Rajinikanth's gangster action drama, Coolie. The Ranveer Singh-starrer has been a word-of-mouth sensation, not just in India but also internationally. The film has grossed approximately 186 crores overseas through the third Sunday (17 days), outgrossing Coolie's entire overseas run of 180.50 crores and becoming the number 1 Indian blockbuster. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The trade was bullish on the film, but it didn't expect it to become this big internationally. Dhurandhar started on a decent note, but became a beast after word of mouth spread like wildfire. The film is now heading towards the 200 crore mark and will be the first 200 crore overseas grosser for Ranveer Singh. Produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, Dhurandhar is also set to become the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 at the worldwide box office by today. It has minted 845+ crores gross in 17 days, just behind Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1, which minted around 852 crores gross globally earlier this year. Stay tuned...

Bollywood

20 days ago

3677 views

Pan-India Power Report 2025: Kantara Ch 1 Mints 223 Cr in Hindi; A Reality Check for Southern Dubs in 2025

2025 has been the year of the Pan India Reality Check. The Hindi audience has become ruthless embracing authentic rooted stories like Kantara with open arms while coldly rejecting generic mass actioners, even those starring heavyweights like Pawan Kalyan and Kamal Haasan. While Rishab Shetty emerged as the undisputed king of the Hindi box office this year, other highly anticipated projects like Lokesh Kanagaraj's Coolie and Suriya's Retro posted numbers that fell short of their astronomical pre release hype.From folklore to gangster dramas, here is the ultimate report card of how South Indian films performed in the Hindi belt this year. Movie Industry Hindi Net Collection Kantara: Chapter 1 Sandalwood ₹223.79 Cr Coolie Kollywood ₹37.23 Cr Game Changer Tollywood ₹32.93 Cr Mirai Tollywood ₹16.86 Cr Baahubali: The Epic Animation ₹6.94 Cr HIT: The Third Case Tollywood ₹4.11 Cr Kannappa Tollywood ₹3.98 Cr Lokah: Chapter 1 Mollywood ₹3.78 Cr They Call Him OG Tollywood ₹3.36 Cr L2: Empuraan Mollywood ₹2.59 Cr Thug Life Kollywood ₹1.70 Cr The Girlfriend Tollywood ₹ 0.60 Cr Madharasi Kollywood ₹0.50 Cr Retro Kollywood ₹ 0.49 Cr Daaku Maharaaj Tollywood ₹ 0.40 Cr Hari Hara Veera Mallu Tollywood ₹ 0.33 Cr Bad Girl Kollywood ₹0.06 Cr 1. Kantara:Chapter 1 Industry:Sandalwood (Kannada) Director:Rishab Shetty Star Cast:Rishab Shetty,Rukmini Vasanth
 The prequel to the 2022 divine blockbuster Kantara shattered ceilings. Delving deeper into the origins of the Panjurli Daiva during the Kadamba era, the film offered a visual spectacle that was both raw and grandiose. The Divine climax once again became a cultural talking point, driving repeat audiences in Maharashtra and the Hindi belt. It stands as the only true All Time Blockbuster from the South in Hindi this year. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) 2. Coolie Industry:Kollywood (Tamil) Director:Lokesh Kanagaraj Star Cast:Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir.
 The union of Thalaivar Rajinikanth and director Lokesh Kanagaraj was expected to set the screens on fire. A stylish gangster drama involving a gold-smuggling syndicate, the film had massive hype. However, the Hindi numbers (₹ 37.23 Cr) suggest it played more to the gallery of existing fans rather than breaking out to the neutral Hindi audience like Vikram or Jailer. 3.Game Changer Industry:Tollywood (Telugu) Director:S. Shankar Star Cast:Ram Charan, Kiara Advani.
 Coming off the global high of RRR, Ram Charan teamed up with the showman Shankar. While the film's political theme resonated in the South, the Hindi audience found the narrative slightly dated. ₹ 32.93 Cr is a respectable total but falls short of the expectations set for a Ram Charan and Shankar collaboration. 4.Mirai Industry:Tollywood (Telugu) Director:Karthik Ghattamaneni Star Cast:Teja Sajja, Ritika Nayak. 
The surprise package of the year. After HanuMan, Teja Sajja cemented his position with Mirai. Based on the legend of Ashoka's 9 secret books, this Super Yodha film connected well with kids and families, earning nearly ₹ 17 Cr purely on concept strength without a Tier-1 star. 5. Baahubali:The Epic Industry:Pan India (Re-release/Edit) Director:S.S. Rajamouli Star Cast:Prabhas,Anushka Shetty
 To celebrate the franchise's legacy, the makers released a special Single Film edit of the two part saga with remastered visuals.While die hard fans turned up, the ₹ 6.95 Cr collection proves that the audience prefers new content over nostalgia trips in theaters. 6. HIT:The Third Case Industry:Tollywood (Telugu) Director:Sailesh Kolanu Star Cast:Nani, Srinidhi Shetty.
 Nani entered the HIT universe as Arjun Sarkar. While the film was a critical success in Telugu, the dark, gritty thriller genre has a limited ceiling in the Hindi dubbed market unless backed by massive marketing, reflected in its niche ₹ 4.11 Cr collection. 7. Kannappa Industry:Tollywood (Telugu) Director:Mukesh Kumar Singh Star Cast:Vishnu Manchu,Preity Mukhundhan (Cameos: Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal).
 Despite a star-studded lineup of cameos including Prabhas and Akshay Kumar, this mythological drama starring Vishnu Manchu failed to generate buzz in the Hindi belt, collecting a meager ₹ 3.98 Cr. 8. Lokah:Chapter 1 - Chandra Industry:Mollywood(Malayalam) Director:Dominic Arun Star Cast:Kalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen, Sandy. 
Malayalam cinema's ambitious entry into the superhero genre! Starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, the film was praised for its VFX and unique world-building. For a Malayalam film without a traditional Mass Hero, earning ₹ 3.78 Cr in Hindi is a positive sign of growth. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) 9.They Call Him OG Industry:Tollywood (Telugu) Director:Sujeeth Star Cast:Pawan Kalyan, Priyanka Mohan.
 The biggest shocker of the list. Pawan Kalyan's gangster drama, despite featuring Emraan Hashmi as the antagonist, crashed in Hindi with just ₹ 3.36 Cr. It highlights that Pawan Kalyan's stardom is still strictly regional compared to peers like Prabhas or Allu Arjun. 10. L2:Empuraan Industry:Mollywood (Malayalam) Director:Prithviraj Sukumaran Star Cast:Mohanlal, Manju Warrier,Prithviraj. The sequel to Lucifer. While a massive blockbuster in Kerala, the complex political drama of Empuraan proved too dense for the mass Hindi audience, collecting just ₹ 2.59 Cr. 11. Thug Life Industry:Kollywood (Tamil) Director:Mani Ratnam Star Cast:Kamal Haasan, Trisha Krishnan,Silambarasan TR.
 The reunion of legends Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan after decades was a cinematic event, but sadly, only for Tamil Nadu. The Hindi version was a non-starter (₹ 1.7 Cr), proving that Class Classics rarely translate to Mass Hindi Box Office. 12.The Girlfriend
 Industry:Tollywood (Telugu)
 Director:Rahul Ravindran
 Star Cast:Rashmika Mandanna, Dheekshith Shetty.
 
A solo lead thriller by Rashmika Mandanna. While she is a National Crush, the film's niche subject matter restricted its appeal, leading to a washout in the Hindi dubbed version.
 13.Madharasi
 Director:A.R.Murugadoss
 Star Cast:Sivakarthikeyan, Vidyut Jammwal.
 
Despite being directed by A.R.Murugadoss (known for Ghajini) and starring Vidyut Jammwal (a known face in Hindi), this film was a disaster in Hindi. It seems the audience has moved past the 2000s style of commercial filmmaking.
 14.Retro Industry:Kollywood (Tamil) Director:Karthik Subbaraj Star Cast:Suriya, Pooja Hegde.
 Also known as Suriya 44, this stylish actioner by Karthik Subbaraj was expected to be Suriya's big theatrical comeback in Hindi. The shocking collection of less than ₹ 50 Lakhs indicates a complete failure in marketing or release strategy in the North. 15.Daaku Maharaaj
 Industry:Tollywood (Telugu)
 Director:Bobby Kolli
 Star Cast:Nandamuri Balakrishna, Bobby Deol

 Even the presence of Bobby Deol (fresh off Animal fame) couldn't save this Balakrishna mass entertainer in Hindi. The over the top action style of NBK clearly has zero takers in the Hindi belt in 2025.
 16. Hari Hara Veera Mallu
 Industry:Tollywood (Telugu)
 Director:Krish Jagarlamudi,Jyoti Krishna
 Star Cast:Pawan Kalyan, Bobby Deol.
 
A delayed period drama that felt stale upon arrival. With collections of just ₹33 Lakhs, it stands as a significant commercial underperformer for a star of Pawan Kalyan's stature.
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) 17.Bad Girl Industry:Kollywood (Tamil) Director:Varsha Bharath Star Cast:Anjali Sivaraman.
 A small budget coming of age drama produced by heavyweights like Vetrimaaran. While critically acclaimed in festivals, it was virtually non-existent at the Hindi box office. Ultimately, 2025 will be remembered as the year the Hindi market transitioned from being a star reliant territory to a landscape defined by audience discernment. The staggering gap between Kantara (₹223 Cr) and generic mass entertainers highlights a significant shift in viewer preferences. When highly anticipated projects featuring legends struggle to gain traction while a rooted folklore thriller creates history, the trend is undeniable.The era of blind loyalty to formulaic tropes is fading, making way for a new chapter of content supremacy.

Kollywood

23 days ago

9807 views

Rajinikanth's Padayappa First Week Collection Worldwide

Chennai, December 19 - The iconic blockbuster of Tamil cinema, Padayappa, was re-released in cinemas on the occasion of superstar Rajinikanth's 75th birthday, and it has scored a superb opening week collection at the worldwide box office. It was Tamil cinema's highest-grossing film when it was originally released in 1999. The action drama had a fantastic opening weekend with approximately 11+ crore gross worldwide, after taking the opening of around 4 crores gross. Normally, re-release films, especially South Indian films, don't perform after day 1, but Padayappa proved to be different by staying throughout the weekend. The film maintained its consistency on weekdays as well, and closed out the opening weekend with around 16 crore worldwide. In India, Padayappa has grossed in the range of 13.25+ crores, including 11.75 crores in Tamil Nadu. These are very good numbers for a re-release title. Padayappa is a landmark Tamil film, directed by K. S. Ravikumar, produced by Arunachala Cine Creations, with music composed by A. R. Rahman. It was the penultimate release of legendary Sivaji Ganesan. The film is celebrated for its powerful storytelling, iconic performances, and memorable soundtrack. Stay tuned...

Bollywood

24 days ago

8628 views

Top 5 A-Rated Indian Films At Worldwide Box Office: Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar Tops The Chart

Mumbai, December 25 - Indian cinema has seen big results at the box office over the last few years, with many films crossing the 500 crores milestone. It used to be a rarity before the COVID pandemic, but with audiences craving for big-ticket entertainers with solid theatrical appeal, the milestone is no longer out of reach. While crossing the half-billion mark might not be a big ask anymore, films with A-ratings have always walked a tightrope at the box office. With restricted audiences, limited family footfalls, and often polarising themes, breaking records in the adult-certified space is no easy feat. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Yet, every once in a while, a film comes along that defies the odds, rewriting the rules of what an A-rated Indian film can achieve commercially. Well, this has happened a few times over the last couple of years, where multiple A-rated titles achieved big success at the box office, proving that audiences are ready to embrace such films if they are worthy of their time and money. Here are the top 5 highest-grossing Indian films at the worldwide box office - 1. Dhurandhar (Hindi, 2025) - 944+ crore (20 days) Director - Aditya Dhar Starring - Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi Still in theatres and still breathing fire, Dhurandhar is rewriting the narrative in real time. Powered by ferocious performances, raw action, and an uncompromising tone, the film has already crossed massive global milestones by becoming the all-time biggest A-rated grosser. It is now marching towards 1000 crores gross milestone. 2. Animal (Hindi, 2023) - 915 crore Director - Sandeep Reddy Vanga Starring - Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Violent, divisive, and relentless, the action drama rooted in father-son sentiments, Animal, went against the regular filmmaking and bulldozed its way to the top with an unprecedented worldwide gross, proving that controversy can fuel commerce when executed with scale and conviction. It remains the gold standard for A-rated dominance. 3. Salaar Part 1: Ceasefire (Telugu, 2023) - 618 crores Director - Prashanth Neel Starring - Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumara, Shruti Haasan A dark, violent, and thunderous action spectacle, Salaar: Ceasefire was largely believed to have underperformed at the box office despite big numbers. However, despite its A-rating, the Prabhas-led film stormed the worldwide box office, driven by massive openings across multiple territories and sustained mass appeal. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) 4. Coolie (Tamil, 2025) - 518 crores Director - Lokesh Kanagaraj Starring - Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Upendra, Aamir Khan The film surprised with its adult-rating, which eventually proved to be a roadblock for its overall potential. Coolie, headlined by superstar Rajinikanth, combined raw storytelling with commercial sensibilities. The film received mixed word of mouth, which helped it to cross the 500 crores milestone. 5. Kabir Singh (Hindi, 2019) - 377 crores Director - Sandeep Reddy Vanga Starring - Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani The film that changed the game before the era of mega-scale A-rated actioners. Kabir Singh thrived on its obsessive romance, flawed protagonist, and intense emotional pitch, becoming the highest-grossing adult-certified film of its time and laying the foundation for what followed. S. No. Movie India Gross Collection Overseas Collection Worldwide Collection 1 Dhurandhar (2025) 729.00 crore 215.00 crore 944.00 crore 2 Animal (2023) 660.00 crore 255.00 crore 915.00 crore 3 Salaar: Ceasefire (2023) 488.00 crore 130.00 crore 618.00 crore 4 Coolie (2025) 337.50 crore 180.50 crore 518.00 crore 5 Kabir Singh (2019) 330.00 crore 47.00 crore 377.00 crore Note: Data as of December 24, 2025. Stay tuned...

Kollywood

26 days ago

1514 views

Nora Fatehi joins Rajinikanth for a high-octane dance number in Jailer 2; Filming begins in Chennai

The anticipation for Superstar Rajinikanth's sequel Jailer 2 has escalated to new heights with reports of a glamorous addition to the cast. In a move that promises to set the screens on fire, buzz suggests that global dancing sensation Nora Fatehi has joined the team for a high-octane special appearance. It is reported that the actress has touched down in Chennai to shoot a high-energy dance number alongside Thalaivar. The track, composed by the hit-machine Anirudh Ravichander, is reportedly being filmed on a grand outdoor set, with the schedule expected to last for eight days. Unlike her typical Bollywood chartbusters, reports indicate that this song carries distinct South Indian influences, designed as a mass anthem to rival the viral success of Kaavaalaa from the first installment. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Beyond the speculated musical spectacle, Director Nelson Dilipkumar is assembling a formidable ensemble to support Rajinikanth, who returns as the stoic Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. While core members like Ramya Krishnan and Yogi Babu are reprising their roles, the sequel has added significant firepower with the inclusion of the versatile SJ Suryah in a pivotal role. Adding to the intrigue, Pinkvilla had exclusively reported earlier that the powerhouse performer Vidya Balan has also come on board, marking a significant casting coup. With Sun Pictures backing the project, the production is moving at a rapid pace across locations in Chennai and Kerala, ensuring the scale surpasses its predecessor. As for when fans can witness this spectacle, the timeline is becoming clearer. In a recent media interaction, Superstar Rajinikanth himself hinted that the team is targeting a June 2026 release, though trade circles speculate the makers might eye the lucrative Independence Day window in August 2026 for a massive Pan-India opening. With Anirudh's music, Nelson's signature dark humor, and reports of Nora Fatehi's electrifying presence, Jailer 2 is shaping up to be a box office monster that could challenge the historic ₹600 crore benchmark set by the first installment.