BY SACNILK

Mumbai, May 26 - Director Aditya Dhar's spy action thriller Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge have changed the game for Indian cinema in this genre. Grounded espionage and raw action are the core of the blockbuster franchise. Ranveer Singh's gritty performance as deep-cover agent Jaskirat Singh Rangi set a new gold standard for realistic Indian spy thrillers. If you love complex, chapter-based plots, tense standoffs, and nation-first narratives, these five Indian spy masterpieces will keep you on the edge of your seat. While Dhurandhar has definitely set the bar super high, these five films have been the gold standard in this genre. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Baby (2015) Where to Watch - JioHotstar, YouTube (rent) Directed by Neeraj Pandey, Baby is about an elite, unnamed Indian counter-intelligence team that sets out on a ticking-clock mission to track down a terrorist group and eliminate dangerous sleeper cells. Starring Akshay Kumar as lead agent Ajay Singh Rajput, alongside Rana Daggubati and Taapsee Pannu, the film opts for hyper-realistic action, gritty international locations, and a raw, professional look at the gruelling reality of spy work. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Madras Cafe (2013) Where to Watch - Prime Video, YouTube (rent), Apple TV This political thriller is directed by Shoojit Sircar and features John Abraham as the lead agent and Nargis Fakhri as an international journalist. In the movie, an Indian army special forces officer is recruited by the intelligence wing to infiltrate a war-torn island and break up a powerful rebel force. It feels almost like a documentary, exploring the dark, heavy realities of real-world spy craft. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) D-Day (2013) Where to Watch - Prime Video, MX Player, YouTube Directed by Nikkhil Advani, the film focuses on a highly secret, four-member R&AW team that infiltrates Pakistan to capture and bring back "Goldman," India's most wanted criminal mastermind. The film boasts a powerhouse cast including Arjun Rampal (who also stars in Dhurandhar), Rishi Kapoor, Irfan Khan, and Huma Qureshi. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Vishwaroopam (2013) Where to Watch - JioHotstar A seemingly effeminate Kathak dance teacher in New York is hunted by the FBI, only to reveal he is a highly lethal, top-tier Indian intelligence agent tracking a global terror network. Written, directed, and led by cinema legend Kamal Haasan, the movie also stars Rahul Bose and Pooja Kumar. It mirrors Dhurandhar's massive global scope, explosive hand-to-hand combat choreography, and clever use of shifting secret identities to outsmart dangerous adversaries. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Raazi (2018) Where to Watch - Prime Video, Netflix, Apple TV On the eve of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, a young, untrained Kashmiri girl is married into a high-ranking Pakistani military family to serve as a deep-cover spy. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, this critically acclaimed film stars Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in lead roles. The film explores the heavy emotional weight of patriotism and the terrifying fear of operating behind enemy lines.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, May 25 - Most movie love stories are simple. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, and they live happily ever after. Bollywood romantic comedies usually follow this sweet rule. But sometimes, a twist arrives, and that's where things get messed up, bringing heartbreak and pain of not getting the love character wanted. Maddock Films' upcoming romantic comedy Cocktail 2 is one of the most-anticipated films. Starring Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Kriti Sanon, it is reportedly a twisted love story unlike the first film, where two girls fought over one guy. The movie is scheduled to release on June 19 amid growing anticipation. Here are five twisted love triangle stories to watch before Cocktail 2. 1. Bareilly Ki Barfi: A Web of False Identities (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Where to Watch - ZEE5, Prime Video Starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Kriti Sanon, and Rajkumar Rao, the movie shows what happens when a small lie grows too big to control. A free-spirited girl named Bitti falls in love with a book. She wants to find the author because she thinks he understands her perfectly. The man who actually wrote the book is Chirag. He is too scared to admit it, so he makes his shy friend, Pritam, pretend to be the author. Bitti falls for the fake author, Chirag gets jealous of his own creation, and Pritam gets caught in the middle. It is a funny game of musical chairs where everyone is lying. 2. Tanu Weds Manu Returns: Loving a Ghost from the Past (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Where to Watch - Apple TV+ What happens when you fall out of love with your wife, only to fall in love with someone who looks exactly like her? This sequel follows Manu (R. Madhavan), whose marriage to the fiery Tanu (Kangana Ranaut) has completely fallen apart. While planning a divorce, Manu meets Datto, a young sports student who is a carbon copy of his wife. He decides to marry Datto to start over. However, the original Tanu returns right before the wedding to claim her husband back, creating a hilarious and chaotic showdown between the past and the present. 3. Dostana: The Fake Relationship Trap (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Where to Watch - Netflix, Prime Video Two straight men living in Miami find the ultimate dream apartment, but there is a major catch - the landlady only wants female or gay roommates to protect her niece, Neha (Priyanka Chopra). Desperate for a place to live, Sam (Abhishek Bachchan) and Kunal (John Abraham) pretend to be a gay couple. The plan backfires completely when both men fall deeply in love with Neha. They are forced to actively maintain their fake relationship while secretly sabotaging each other's attempts to win Neha’s heart, creating a hilarious cycle of lies and jealousy. 4. Hasee Toh Phasee: Swapping Sisters Before the Wedding (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Where to Watch - Netflix, Prime Video Nikhil (Siddharth Anand) is a struggling businessman who is just days away from marrying his demanding fiancée, Karishma (Adah Sharma). Everything changes when Karishma's eccentric, genius sister, Meeta (Parineeti Chopra), suddenly bursts back into the family home after years of being estranged. Nikhil is tasked with keeping an eye on Meeta to keep her out of trouble. Instead, as he spends time with her, he finds himself falling for her quirky charm. He faces the ultimate awkward dilemma of realising he is marrying the wrong sister right as the wedding countdown begins. 5. Cocktail: When Friendship and Love Collide (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Where to Watch - ZEE5 This movie looks at how a love triangle can ruin a perfect friendship. Veronica (Deepika Padukone) is a rich, wild party girl who takes in a shy, traditional girl named Meera (Diana Penty). They become best friends and share a beautiful apartment. Enter Gautam (Saif Ali Khan), a charming playboy who starts dating Veronica. The three live together like a happy family until Gautam realises he actually has deeper feelings for Meera. The movie tracks the painful choices they have to make when love threatens to tear best friends apart.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, April 27 - The 2027 theatrical calendar is steadily filling up, with several high-profile films already locking prime festive and holiday release windows. From Sankranti to Diwali, major stars and big-budget productions have strategically positioned themselves to capitalise on long weekends and nationwide holidays, setting the stage for an intense box office battle year. The year kicks off with a bang on Makar Sankranti with superstar Rajinikanth's Thalaivar 173, expected to be one of the biggest openers of the year. Just days later, the Republic Day weekend (January 21) will see long-delayed Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal's Love And War hit cinemas, ensuring a strong start to the year with back-to-back major releases. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) February continues the momentum as fantasy comedy Naagzilla, starring Kartik Aaryan, arrives during the Valentine's Day weekend (February 12), aiming to draw both mass and youth audiences. March is shaping up to be one of the most crowded periods, with the Eid weekend (March 5) witnessing a major clash between Prabhas' Spirit and Salman Khan's film with Vamshi Paidipally. The competition doesn't ease up, as John Abraham-led Force 3 is slated for March 19, keeping the box office buzzing through the month. Then comes April, when SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu's globetrotting adventure, Varanasi, is slated for release on April 7. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The summer season will be driven by the Jr. NTR's Dragon/NTRNeel with Prashanth Neel film, scheduled for June 11, a slot traditionally known for blockbuster performers. Meanwhile, the Independence Day weekend (August 13) is locked by Kartik Aaryan's Captain India, which is expected to benefit from patriotic fervour The biggest festival of the year, Diwali, will feature the highly anticipated Ramayana Part 2, positioning itself as a potential box office juggernaut. To close out the year, animated movie Mahavatar Parshuram, the second film in the Mahavatar Cinematic Universe, is slated for a December 2027 release, following the ground-breaking blockbuster, Mahavatar Narsimha. Apart from these confirmed releases, there are several other big-budget titles which will be debuting in 2027, including Allu Arjun's Raaka, Vicky Kaushal's Mahavatar, Balakrishna - Gopichand Malineni's film, Chiranjeevi - Bobby Project, and Venkatesh - Anil Ravipudi's film, among others.

BY SACNILK

For the first time since 2011, the Indian film industry is facing a rare and unprecedented situation: the festival of Holi will pass without a single major Hindi film release. This 15-year streak, which previously delivered consistent box office hits like Race, Kesari, and Badrinath Ki Dulhania, has officially come to an end in 2026. While the absence of a festive release is a blow to exhibitors, the industry is left asking a critical question: Are the upcoming mega-tentpoles, Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar: The Revenge and Yash's Toxic, responsible for this seasonal drought? The answer lies in a mix of strategic hoarding and external scheduling challenges. Traditionally, the Holi window is one of the most profitable periods for Bollywood, but in 2026, producers have opted for a collective wait and watch policy. A primary reason for this is the massive collision scheduled just days later on March 19. With Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic set to occupy nearly every available screen and dominate the marketing conversation, mid-budget filmmakers have effectively surrendered the Holi weekend to avoid being lost in the pre-clash promotional noise. Beyond the fear of being crushed by the Yash-Ranveer showdown, three major external factors have influenced this decision. The ongoing ICC T20 World Cup continues to divert significant evening audiences, making it a risky period for theatrical investments. Additionally, the Ramzan period traditionally sees lower attendance in key circuits, and the peak of the academic examination season further limits the footfall of the core youth and family demographics. Consequently, big-ticket films that might have targeted Holi are now being hoarded for the lucrative Eid window. However, this strategic retreat by producers has left cinema exhibitors in a precarious position. A dry Holi means a significant loss in revenue from concessions and ticket sales that usually provide a much-needed boost during the first quarter of the year. For theater owners, the reliance on a single mega-clash on March 19 creates a high-risk environment where the survival of the quarter depends entirely on two films, rather than a steady stream of festive content. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   15 Years of Holi: The Unbroken Streak (2012–2026) 2012: Kahaani (The first major female-led Holi sleeper hit) 2013: Himmatwala (A massive solo-star launch for Ajay Devgn) 2014: Bewakoofiyaan (Ayushmann Khurrana’s urban rom-com experiment) 2015: Dirty Politics (Kept the window active during a lean year) 2016: Rocky Handsome (John Abraham's high-octane actioner) 2017: Badrinath Ki Dulhania (Proved Holi as a massive youth-draw window) 2018: Pari (A rare horror experiment that succeeded on Holi) 2019: Kesari (Set a record for the highest Holi opening ever) 2020: Baaghi 3 (Last major theatrical run before the pandemic lockdowns) 2021: Saina (A biographical drama released despite pandemic restrictions) 2022: Bachchhan Paandey (A major Akshay Kumar vehicle for the festive window) 2023: Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar (Revived the rom-com genre on the big screen) 2024: Madgaon Express (A comedy success that kept the festive spirit alive) 2025: The Diplomat (John Abraham's patriotic thriller for the holiday) 2026: NO MAJOR RELEASE Ultimately, the 2026 Holi drought is a testament to how the modern box office is increasingly dominated by event cinema. While the industry prepares for the fireworks of the Dhurandhar vs. Toxic clash, the lack of planning for one of India's most vibrant festivals raises serious questions about the long-term sustainability of the theatrical release calendar. For now, the colors of Holi will remain missing from the silver screen, as Bollywood places all its bets on the upcoming March 19 battle.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, October 28 - Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan landed a knockout punch in 2023 with spy action thriller Pathaan after coming from nearly four years of break. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film was a kind of much-needed comeback for one of India's biggest superstars after not so pleasing outing with his last few films. "Pathaan" was released during the Republic Day weekend of 2023 amid huge anticipation and as expected, it scored the biggest opening ever for a Bollywood movie at the domestic as well as the overseas box office. There was no stopping the movie after that as it kept demolishing record after record. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) From the very first day, "Pathaan" was chasing history at the box office and without much support from other languages, it managed to score the biggest opening week collection the then for a Bollywood movie with 697 crores worldwide, including 437 crores gross domestically, before continued its dreamy run in the next weeks as well. Produced by Yash Raj Films, "Pathaan" went on to become the highest net-grossing film ever in Hindi before it was recently outscored by another Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Jawan" and Sunny Deol-fronted "Gadar 2". At the worldwide box office, the film was truly a sensation and became the first Bollywood movie to gross 1000+ crores without China which is not the traditional market for Indian movies. Here is the final box office breakdown of Pathaan India Net Collection - 543.10 Cr India Gross Collection - 657.50 Cr Overseas Collection - 397.50 Cr Worldwide Collection - 1055.00 Cr Box Office Verdict - All-Time Blockbuster (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) "Pathaan", which is a part of YRF's ambitious Spy Universe, was on a record-breaking spree from the first day itself. Here are some of the box office records created by Pathaan - - Highest-grossing Bollywood movie at the worldwide box office without China. - First Bollywood movie to top 1000 crores worldwide without China. - Second-highest-grossing Indian movie of 2023 at the overseas box office. - The first film ever to touch 60 crores net mark in Hindi. - Highest-grossing film for Shah Rukh Khan, John Abraham, and Deepika Padukone. - Highest-grossing film for director Siddharth Anand. - Highest-grossing Yash Raj Films production. - Sixth Indian film to hit 1000 crores worldwide gross mark. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, January 8 - Director Rohit Shetty is all set to bring back his most successful comedy franchise. Golmaal 5, the fifth instalment of the blockbuster Golmaal series, is set to reunite the director with Ajay Devgn and others, and the latest reports suggest that it is heading to start rolling soon. According to the report by Bollywood Hungama, Rohit Shetty will start work on Golmaal 5 after wrapping up his upcoming biopic on former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria, which stars John Abraham in the lead role. Once that project is completed, the filmmaker will shift full focus to his trademark comedy universe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The report says that Shetty plans to take the film on floors in February this year with a marathon schedule starting at the end of the next month. The duo of Rohit Shetty and Ajay Devgn are super confident about Golmaal 5 and believe that the script for the fifth instalment is funnier than the earlier four films. With production planned to begin in early 2026, the makers are eyeing a 2027 release, giving the film ample time for shooting, post-production, and a grand theatrical rollout. Given the franchise's box office track record, Golmaal 5 is already being seen as one of the most anticipated Bollywood releases of 2027. Rohit Shetty is known for blending slapstick comedy with scale, and Golmaal 5 is expected to push the envelope further in terms of humour, ensemble storytelling, and entertainment value. While plot details are being kept under wraps, fans can expect the signature chaos, catchphrases, and laugh-out-loud moments that define the franchise. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

With Aditya Dhar preparing to take us on another covert mission in his upcoming film Dhurandhar, curiosity is naturally building around what the filmmaker has in store for us next. We all appreciate a solid espionage drama where the stakes are high and the patriots are fearless. But while we wait for that cinematic experience to hit the screens, it is the perfect time to revisit the best spy thrillers Bollywood has offered us so far. We have dug into the archives to bring you the ultimate watchlist, decoding the box office numbers of India’s most notable covert operations—from the gritty realism of Raazi to the high-octane action of War. We start our list with the film that proved you don't need heavy artillery to make a Blockbuster; sometimes, you just need a brilliant script and Alia Bhatt. Released on May 11, 2018, Raazi was a massive return on investment. Made on a controlled Budget of ₹ 37.00 Cr, the film worked purely on emotion and thrill, earning a Verdict of BLOCKBUSTER. It went on to collect an impressive India Net Collection of ₹ 123.74 Cr and a Worldwide Gross Collection of ₹ 195.00 Cr. With an Overseas Collection of ₹ 37.00 Cr, this film showed that a female-led spy drama could rule the box office. Next on the watchlist is the Neeraj Pandey directorial that redefined the cool factor of Indian intelligence. Released on January 23, 2015, Baby was a no-nonsense, song-less thriller that kept us on the edge of our seats. The film secured a HIT Verdict, raking in a Total Net Collection of ₹ 95.57 Cr domestically. Against a Budget of ₹ 59 Cr, the film managed an India Gross Collection of ₹ 129.02 Cr and a Worldwide Gross of ₹ 142.98 Cr. It remains a cult favorite for its realistic take on counter-terrorism. Turning up the heat, we have Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif's Christmas gift from 2017 -Tiger Zinda Hai. This wasn't just a movie; it was a box office hunt. With a massive Budget of ₹ 210 Cr, the film roared loud with an India Net Collection of ₹ 339.16 Cr and a staggering Worldwide Collection of ₹ 558.00 Cr. The film was declared a BLOCKBUSTER, largely thanks to its massive mass appeal and a huge Overseas Collection of ₹ 124.23 Cr. When Tiger is on the prowl, records are meant to be broken. Then came the King. Shah Rukh Khan returned to the big screen and rewrote history with Pathaan. This film is the biggest money-spinner on our list, earning the verdict of ALL TIME BLOCKBUSTER. With a lavish Budget of ₹ 250 Cr, the film decimated records with an India Net Collection of ₹ 543.09 Cr and an India Gross Collection of ₹ 657.5 Cr. The scale was truly global, evident from its Overseas Collection of ₹ 397.5 Cr, pushing the Worldwide Collection to a colossal ₹ 1055 Cr. It was the comeback of the decade. Taking a detour from the massy entertainers, we land on the gritty and intelligent Madras Cafe. Starring John Abraham, this film was ahead of its time. Made on a distinct Budget of ₹ 34.00 Cr, it earned a Total Net Collection of ₹ 42.47 Cr and an India Gross of ₹ 57.33 Cr. While the trade gave it an AVERAGE Verdict due to its niche appeal, the Worldwide Gross of ₹ 66.71 Cr and its critical acclaim make it a must-watch for true cinema lovers who enjoy geopolitical drama over flying cars. Before Pathaan, there was War. This stylish face-off between Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff set the benchmark for action aesthetics in Bollywood. The film was a visual spectacle with a Budget of ₹ 150.00 Cr, and the audience loved it, crowning it a BLOCKBUSTER. It collected a massive India Net Collection of ₹ 318.01 Cr and an India Gross Collection of ₹ 375.00 Cr. The film also performed exceptionally well internationally, with an Overseas Collection of ₹ 96.00 Cr, bringing its Worldwide Collection to ₹ 471.00 Cr. To complete our Top 7, we have to tip our hat to the one that started the spy universe craze. While we focused on the sequels and spin-offs above, the original Ek Tha Tiger deserves the final spot. It laid the foundation for the Blockbusters that followed (Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan). It established the formula of romance mixed with high-stakes espionage, making it the perfect movie to binge-watch to see where it all began! So, there you have it! From the gritty realism of Madras Cafe to the high-flying stunts of Pathaan, Bollywood has given us a spy thriller for every mood. With such a strong legacy behind the genre, Aditya Dhar certainly has a high bar to match with Dhurandhar. .video-container { position: relative; width: 100%; padding-bottom: 56.25%; /* 16:9 aspect ratio */ height: 0; overflow: hidden; } .video-container iframe { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, November 12 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar's courtroom comedy drama Jolly LLB 3, co-starring Arshad Warsi, has completed its successful box office run with over 170 crores worldwide. The movie emerged as a hit and is now set to drop digitally this week. As per the latest reports, the Subhash Kapoor's directorial will be available to stream online from November 14, after completing 8 weeks of theatrical run. But there is a big twist in the OTT release of the movie, which is expected to draw solid viewership. According to the report by Bollywood Hungama, Jolly LLB 3 is expected to stream on two platforms - JioHotstar and Netflix. Both platforms were reportedly mentioned in the opening slate of the movie. It is, however, not yet clear if the movie will stream on both platforms simultaneously or will arrive on one streaming platform first and on the other after a few weeks. This is one of the rare instances when a theatrical film releases on two platforms. Recently, John Abraham's thriller, Tehran, dropped on Zee5 on August 14, and two weeks later, it was also released on Netflix on August 28. Jolly LLB 3 might follow the same route. OTT platforms haven't been successful in attracting Indian audiences to their expectations, especially after cinemas started functioning to their full capacity. It is said that OTTs are now increasingly adopting the content rights sharing model due to rising costs. Produced by Star Studio18 and Kangra Talkies, Jolly LLB 3 stars Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, in their returning roles as Jollys, along with Saurabh Shukla, Amrita Rao, and Huma Qureshi, from the first two films. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

2025 has truly been a blockbuster year for Hindi cinema — a year where genres collided, stars reinvented themselves, and box office numbers soared like never before. From historical spectacles and soulful romances to animated epics and full-blown comedies, Bollywood delivered it all — and audiences showed up in massive numbers. With films like Chhaava rewriting records, Saiyaara giving newcomers a dream debut, and War 2 expanding the spy universe, the year proved that theatrical magic is well and truly alive. Here’s a look at the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2025, ranked by their box office triumphs and audience impact. Highest-Grossing Hindi Films of 2025 Rank Movie Cast (Male / Female Lead) Box Office Collection 1 Chhaava Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna ₹807.91 Cr Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava stormed the box office with an impressive opening of ₹31 crore on Day 1 and maintained its momentum through the week, collecting ₹219.25 crore in its first seven days. The film went on to earn ₹807.91 crore worldwide, including ₹91 crore from overseas markets. Made on an approximate budget of ₹130 crore, Chhaava marked Vicky Kaushal’s third film to enter the ₹100 crore club and Rashmika Mandanna’s sixth. Overall, it became the 127th Hindi film to cross the ₹100 crore benchmark — cementing its place among 2025’s biggest blockbusters.. Rank Movie Cast (Male / Female Lead) Box Office Collection 2 Saiyaara Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda ₹569.75 Cr The romantic drama Saiyaara opened strong with ₹21.5 crore on Day 1 and soared to ₹172.75 crore by the end of its first week. Overseas audiences embraced it equally, contributing another ₹171.5 crore. Starring debutant Ahaan Panday alongside Aneet Padda, the film became one of the highest-earning romantic dramas of the decade and a defining success for its fresh-faced leads. Rank Movie Cast (Male / Female Lead) Box Office Collection 3 War 2 Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR ₹364.35 Cr War 2, the much-awaited entry in YRF’s Spy Universe, exploded into cinemas with a massive ₹52 crore Day 1 haul. The first week alone fetched ₹204.25 crore domestically, while its overseas earnings stood at ₹81.75 crore. Mounted on a ₹400 crore budget, the Hrithik Roshan-led spectacle delivered large-scale action and global appeal, becoming a major hit despite its high cost and earning acclaim for its crossover storyline. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Rank Movie Cast (Male / Female Lead) Box Office Collection 4 Mahavatar Narsimha Voice Cast ₹325.74 Cr Hombale Films’ animated epic Mahavatar Narsimha opened modestly with ₹1.75 crore on Day 1 but grew steadily through strong word-of-mouth, collecting ₹44.75 crore in its opening week and ₹28 crore overseas. Made on a modest ₹15 crore budget, the Ashwin Kumar-directed film became the highest-grossing Indian animated movie ever, surpassing even Disney’s The Lion King (2019) at the Indian box office — an unprecedented feat in Indian animation history. Rank Movie Cast (Male / Female Lead) Box Office Collection 5 Housefull 5 Multiple Leads ₹288.58 Cr The fifth instalment of the popular comedy franchise, Housefull 5, began its run with ₹24 crore on Day 1 and collected ₹127.25 crore in its first week. Overseas, the film fetched ₹70.25 crore. Made at a staggering cost of ₹250 crore, it became India’s most expensive comedy film, releasing across 5000 screens domestically and over 2000 screens overseas. Despite mixed reviews, it proved to be a major crowd-puller and ended with ₹288.58 crore globally. Rank Movie Cast (Male / Female Lead) Box Office Collection 6 Sitaare Zameen Par Aamir Khan, Genelia Deshmukh ₹267.34 Cr Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par started slow at ₹10.7 crore on opening day but grew impressively to ₹88.9 crore in its first week and ₹66.75 crore overseas. With an estimated budget of ₹122 crore, the film sustained excellent word-of-mouth and crossed ₹150 crore net in India by its third week. It went on to surpass the lifetime totals of major titles like Tanu Weds Manu Returns, OMG 2, and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, proving Aamir’s emotional storytelling still strikes a chord with audiences. Rank Movie Cast (Male / Female Lead) Box Office Collection 7 Raid 2 Ajay Devgn, Vaani Kapoor ₹237 Cr Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 maintained his stronghold on the thriller genre, earning ₹19.25 crore on Day 1 and ₹95.75 crore in its opening week. The overseas collection touched ₹31 crore, bringing its worldwide total past ₹237 crore. Produced on a ₹120 crore budget, the sequel built on the first film’s tension and realism — turning into one of the year’s most profitable mid-budget hits. Rank Movie Cast (Male / Female Lead) Box Office Collection 8 Sikandar Salman Khan, Rashmika Mandanna ₹184.60 Cr Salman Khan’s Sikandar roared into theatres with a ₹26 crore opening, followed by ₹90.25 crore in its first week. Overseas markets contributed another ₹54 crore. With a production cost of around ₹200 crore, the film delivered a solid worldwide total of ₹184.6 crore. Although not a record-breaker, it reaffirmed Salman’s festive box office pull and Rashmika Mandanna’s continued streak as a dependable co-star in big-ticket entertainers. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Rank Movie Cast (Male / Female Lead) Box Office Collection 9 Jolly LLB 3 Multiple Leads ₹170.8 Cr The courtroom comedy Jolly LLB 3 opened with ₹12.5 crore on Day 1 and secured ₹74 crore in its first week, alongside ₹31.5 crore from overseas markets. Despite being mounted on a ₹160 crore budget, the multi-lead setup and familiar humour drew strong word-of-mouth, eventually pushing the film into the ₹100 crore club and proving the Jolly brand’s consistency with audiences. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Rank Movie Cast (Male / Female Lead) Box Office Collection 10 Sky Force Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan ₹149 Cr Inspired by true events, Sky Force took off with ₹12.25 crore on its opening day and collected ₹86.5 crore by the end of Week 1. Overseas, it brought in ₹14.5 crore. Made on an estimated ₹160 crore budget, the Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan-starrer earned ₹149 crore worldwide. While not among the year’s top grossers, the patriotic action drama found appreciation for its emotional storytelling and grand aerial sequences. As the curtains draw on 2025, it’s clear that Bollywood has bounced back stronger than ever. The year was driven by variety — from mythological grandeur to emotional storytelling, each film found its audience and moment under the spotlight. While Chhaava emerged as the year’s undisputed box office king, movies like Mahavatar Narsimha and Sitaare Zameen Par reminded us that content still reigns supreme. With new faces entering the ₹100 crore club and franchises pushing boundaries, the Hindi film industry’s winning streak seems unstoppable as it heads into 2026.

BY SACNILK

Bollywood actor Harshvardhan Rane has officially come on board the upcoming action thriller Force 3, continuing the legacy of the franchise led by John Abraham. The news was shared by Rane himself through an Instagram reel, hinting at the early build-up for the project and confirming that filming is expected to begin in March 2026. The post also highlighted his excitement about taking the franchise forward and connected him to the legacy of the series. In his Instagram reel, Rane also reflected on his previous work, sharing moments from his recent film Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. The post underscored how his performances in mainstream cinema have laid the groundwork for his transition into a high-profile franchise like Force 3. Through this personal glimpse, Rane connected fans to both his past successes and the upcoming chapter in the action series. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harshvardhan Rane (@harshvardhanrane) The Force franchise began in 2011 with Force, directed by Nishikant Kamat. John Abraham played ACP Yashvardhan “Yash” Singh, alongside Vidyut Jammwal as the antagonist Vishnu Reddy and Genelia D’Souza as Maya. The film, a remake of the Tamil hit Kaakha Kaakha (2003), was praised for its intense action sequences and grounded portrayal of police officers. Its sequel, Force 2, released in 2016 and directed by Abhinay Deo, took the story to a global espionage stage. John Abraham reprised his role, joined by Sonakshi Sinha and Tahir Raj Bhasin, with the narrative revolving around RAW agents being targeted internationally. The sequel expanded the franchise’s scope while retaining the high-octane action that audiences had come to expect. With Harshvardhan Rane officially on board, Force 3 promises to be a fresh take for the franchise while honoring the legacy of its previous installments. Fans of the series and action cinema alike will be keeping a close eye on how the film develops, from casting and production to the eventual theatrical release.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 22 - National award-winning director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is gearing up for the release of political drama The Bengal Files, which is the third piece in Agnihotri's Files trilogy after National Award-winning movies The Tashkent Files (2019) and The Kashmir Files (2022). The upcoming movie revolves around the Calcutta riots of August 16, 1946, which were triggered after the All-India Muslim League called for Direct Action Day to demand a separate homeland. The movie has been in the media headlines for various reasons, which was expected. Recently, Bollywood star John Abraham shared his opinion on films like The Kashmir Files and Chhaava, and labelled them as the extreme right wing's ideological films, which he said are not good for society. He expressed that he would never make films like The Kashmir Files to "sway people in a hyper-political environment". Abraham's comments left many people furious, including director Agnihotri. During an interview with Padmaja Joshi of NDTV, the filmmaker, who worked with Abraham in 2007's sports drama Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal, reacted to the actor's comment about The Kashmir Files. "John is not a historian, an intellectual, a thinker, or a writer. He has been making very, very jingoistic films like Satyameva Jayate, too. He made Diplomat and all those kinds of films. He must have said that for a variety of reasons. If you had told me some great historian had said this, I would have understood it. I don't care about what he's saying. When was India's atmosphere not hyper-political? When was it that Hindu-Muslim and caste issues never existed in India?" – Agnihotri The filmmaker further said, "He is known for driving motorbikes and showing his body and eating protein, he should focus on those things, film-on mein naa hi ghuse toh behtar hai (better if he doesn't get into talking about films)." Produced by Abhishek Agarwal Arts and I Am Buddha Productions in association with Zee Studios, The Bengal Files stars Darshan Kumar, Pallavi Joshi, Simrat Kaur, Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das, and Mohan Kapur. It is scheduled to release on September 5th. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The YRF Spy Universe is one of Bollywood’s most ambitious and successful cinematic franchises, created by Yash Raj Films under Aditya Chopra. Launched with Ek Tha Tiger (2012), the franchise has grown into a multi-film saga that brings together India’s biggest stars—Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Katrina Kaif—in high-octane espionage thrillers. With films like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan, and Tiger 3, it has become a cultural phenomenon, ushering Bollywood into the era of franchise-driven cinema and establishing a new milestone in India’s global cinematic presence ##Let’s take a look at the worldwide box office collection ##Ek Tha Tiger (2012) Directed by Kabir Khan, produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, with Ranvir Shorey in a supporting role. Music composed by Sohail Sen.. The film introduces Avinash Singh Rathore aka Tiger, a RAW officer sent on a mission to observe a scientist suspected of sharing defence technology with Pakistan. While undercover, Tiger meets Zoya, who has her own secrets. Their romance complicates the mission, blurring the line between duty and love. This movie marked the first collaboration between Salman Khan and Kabir Khan. It was Shot in Ireland, Cuba, Turkey, and India. With the opening day collection of ₹32.93 crore, weekend collection of ₹100.16 crore and total gross worldwide collection of ₹320 crore, the film emerged as the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2012, and it is this success that laid the foundation for the YRF Spy Universe. ## ## Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, produced by Aditya Chopra, starring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Sajjad Delafrooz. Music by Vishal–Shekhar with background score by Julius Packiam. Inspired by real events, Tiger and Zoya return for a high-stakes mission to rescue Indian and Pakistani nurses taken hostage by a terrorist group in Iraq. The mission demands unity between the two agents despite their personal past. The movie was based on the real-life 2014 ISIS hostage crisis in Iraq. While the Major action sequences were shot in Austria, Greece, Morocco, and Abu Dhabi, the star, Salman Khan, trained extensively in firearms and close combat, while Katrina Kaif performed many of her own stunts. The movie broke Bollywood’s highest opening weekend record at that time. With the opening day collection of ₹34.10 crore, week 1 collection of ₹ 206.04 crore and total gross worldwide collection of ₹ 558.00 crore, Let's take a look at the history made by Tiger Zinda Hai at its box office collection Tiger Zinda Hai became the second highest grosser in 2017 after Baahubali 2: The Conclusion and the highest grosser in 2017 Bollywood films. It was the fourth highest Hindi movie (India Net Collection) after  Baahubali 2 [₹ 510.99 Cr,] Dangal [₹ 387.31 Cr] and Sanju [₹ 342.57 Cr]. It was also Salman Khan's highest movie, and after that, Bajrangi Bhaijaan [₹ 320.34 Cr] comes in the second position. ## War (2019) Directed by Siddharth Anand, produced by Aditya Chopra, starring Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, and Vaani Kapoor. Music by Vishal–Shekhar with background score by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara.The story follows Kabir, a top RAW agent who goes rogue, leading his protégé Khalid to hunt him down. Their cat-and-mouse game spans continents, uncovering hidden motives and deeper conspiracies. The pairing of Hrithik Roshan vs. Tiger Shroff was one of the most anticipated action face-offs in Hindi cinema. It was the First Bollywood film shot in the Arctic Circle, specifically in Finland, also the bike chase sequence in Portugal and Spain was praised as one of the best filmed in Indian cinema. With the opening day collection of ₹ 53.35 crore, week 1 collection of ₹ 238.35 crore and total gross worldwide collection of ₹ 471.00 crore, it became the highest-grossing Indian film of 2019. ## ## Pathaan (2023) Directed by Siddharth Anand, produced by Aditya Chopra, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham. Music by Vishal–Shekhar. Pathaan, an exiled RAW agent, is called back into action to stop a mercenary, Jim, from launching a biological attack on India. He teams up with ISI agent Rubina in a globe-trotting race against time, with explosive stunts and spy-universe cameos. The film was shot across eight countries, including Spain, the UAE, and France. This was the movie that marked Shah Rukh Khan’s return to the big screen after four years and featured Salman Khan’s extended cameo as Tiger. With the opening day collection of ₹ 57 crore, the week 1 collection of ₹ 364.15 crore and total gross worldwide collection of ₹ 1055 Cr crore, making it the highest-opening day worldwide for a Hindi film. It also set new benchmarks with the highest single day, opening weekend, and opening week for a Hindi release. Within just 17 days, Pathaan crossed the ₹900 crore worldwide mark, earning ₹558 crore in India alone—an unprecedented feat. Ultimately, it grossed over ₹1,050 crore globally, becoming the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 2023, the third-highest Indian film ever, and the highest-grossing Hindi film of its time. It was the first Hindi film to earn over US$100 million without releasing in China, and it broke multiple overseas records— becoming the highest-grossing Hindi releases in markets like the US, UK, UAE, Australia, and New Zealand. ##Tiger 3 (2023) Directed by Maneesh Sharma, produced by Aditya Chopra, starring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Emraan Hashmi. Music by Pritam. The story follows Tiger, framed as a traitor, as he races to clear his name and protect his family while facing a deadly adversary. The plot deepens the emotional stakes for the character while advancing the YRF Spy Universe storyline. Tiger 3 became the first film in the Tiger franchise to be released in IMAX, adding to its grandeur. Released during Diwali 2023, it emerged as one of the year’s biggest festive blockbusters. The production spanned exotic locations in Turkey, Austria, and India. A major highlight was the highly anticipated crossover sequence featuring Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, which generated massive buzz among fans even before the release. With the opening day collection of ₹44.5 crore, week 1 collection of ₹187.65 crore and total gross worldwide collection of ₹464 crore, it continued the interconnected narrative, setting the stage for War 2 and future spy crossovers. ##From the romance-laced espionage of Ek Tha Tiger to the spectacle-heavy, interconnected narratives of Pathaan and Tiger 3, the YRF Spy Universe has matured into a consistent box office juggernaut. The latest instalment, War 2, starring Hrithik and Jr. NTR, has been released. Even though the movie hasn't performed as expected, it is another major entry in the growing Spy Universe. With Alpha, Pathan 2, and a possible Tiger vs Pathaan in the pipeline, this franchise isn't just about big stars—it's about building India's first sustained cinematic universe with global action sensibilities. ## Stay tuned...