BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 29 - James Cameron's sci-fi epic Avatar franchise has scripted a historic moment at the box office, becoming the first movie trilogy ever to cross the $6 billion mark worldwide, after the thunderous response to the latest instalment, Avatar: Fire and Ash. The milestone has been achieved through the combined earnings of Avatar (2009), which grossed $2.92 billion (including re-release runs), Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), which scored $2.34 billion and Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025), which has so far grossed $760 million. Each chapter of the Pandora saga has been a massive theatrical event, drawing audiences across continents and setting new benchmarks for cinematic spectacle and scale. The original Avatar remains the biggest box office juggernaut of all time, having redefined global cinema with its groundbreaking 3D technology and immersive world-building. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Its sequel, The Way of Water, further cemented the franchise's legacy by emerging as another multi-billion-dollar blockbuster, proving that the magic of Pandora had not faded even after more than a decade. The newly released Avatar: Fire and Ash has now pushed the trilogy past the historic $6 billion milestone, despite the continued doubts over the franchise's future. The film has opened to a strong global start, registering impressive numbers across North America, Europe, and key Asian markets, including India. With $760 million through the second weekend, Avatar 3 is already among the biggest grossers of the year and is heading towards the $1 billion mark this week. As Avatar: Fire and Ash continues its theatrical run, the franchise's total is expected to climb even higher. With more Avatar films already in the pipeline, the Pandora saga shows no signs of slowing down, reinforcing its status as one of the most successful and influential film franchises in cinematic history. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 29 - Jio Studios and B62 Studios' spy action thriller Dhurandhar continues its marvels-que theatrical run as it has become the seventh highest-grossing Indian film at the worldwide box office at the end of the 4th weekend, with so much more yet to come. The Ranveer Singh-starrer had the record 4th weekend for a Bollywood title, grossing 90+ crores worldwide. It crossed 1000 crores gross mark during the weekend, and eventually topped Prabhas' Kalki 2898 AD (1040+ crores) and Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan (1055 crores) to become the 7th biggest Indian grosser of all-time. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) In India, Dhurandhar has already become the biggest Bollywood grosser ever, reaching around 828 crores at the end of the 4th weekend (24 days), while its overseas performance also has not been less than been extraordary with a total so far of around 237 crores, for the worldwide cume of 1065+ crores. Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar will look to surpass Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan (1160 crores) by the next weekend, which will make it the biggest Bollywood grosser of all-time (without China collection). Aamir Khan's Dangal is the number 1 Indian film with over 2000 crores, including 1300 crores gross from China alone. Dhurandhar is headed to finish with 1200+ crores gross at the global box office, and is likely to end its theatrical run by becoming the 4th biggest Indian grosser of all-time, beating KGF: Chapter 2 (1215 crores) and RRR (1230 crores). The second part of Dhurandhar is scheduled to release on March 19, 2026, and given how massively the first part has performed, the upcoming film might set a new benchmark for Indian cinema. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 29 - In the year where romantic films made the most at the box office, Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Pandey-starrer Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri seems to be going the opposite direction after the low opening weekend at the domestic box office. Directed by Sameer Vidwans, TMMTMTTM was originally scheduled to release in February 2026, before the makers moved the release date up twice, but the move didn't work due to poor reviews and competition with Dhurandhar and Avatar: Fire and Ash, which have dominated the month so far. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) TMMTMTTM opened in the 7-8 crores net range, that too on Christmas day and after the alleged feeding. The opening itself suggested the muted interest of moviegoers, and poor reviews further made its life difficult at the box office, as the movie remained flat throughout the opening weekend. As per estimates, the romantic comedy scored 23-24 crores in net collection over its 4-day opening weekend, one of the lowest for a Bollywood title featuring notable actors. With the debut itself on the lower side, the film will need a miracle to sustain, even on the lower side, as word of mouth doesn't seem to be in favour of it. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, December 29 – The excitement around superstar Prabhas' upcoming pan-India film Spirit continues to grow, and the latest update suggests that fans are in for a major update in the New Year 2026. According to an earlier report by Gulte.com, the makers have been planning a special New Year's surprise to set the tone for what is being touted as a gritty cop actioner. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has now confirmed that the first look of the film is dropping tonight, at 12 AM on January 1st. The filmmaker said to have done the principal shoot session for the first look of Prabhas recently. It is said that apart from the first look, the director might also unveil the release date of the film. He had also dropped the first look of his previous film Animal on New Year's night 2023 (Dec 31, 2022). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Known for designing striking and discussion-worthy promotional material, Vanga is reportedly timing the reveal to create maximum impact. The first look is expected to showcase Prabhas in a never-seen-before intense avatar, which has remained a closely guarded secret since the film was announced. Although there is no official confirmation from the production house or the director yet, the buzz has already created a wave of excitement among fans across social media. Spirit marks Prabhas' first collaboration with Sandeep Reddy Vanga, making it one of the most awaited films in Indian cinema. Backed by T-Series and Bhadrakali Productions, the film is being developed as a large-scale pan-India action drama. Prabhas is reportedly playing a police officer, and the narrative is expected to be raw, gritty, and emotionally charged, elements that are signature to Vanga's filmmaking style. With shooting progressing and anticipation steadily building, a New Year first look would be a strategic move to place Spirit firmly in the spotlight. Also starring Tripti Dimri, Vivek Oberoi and Kanchana, the film is likely to be released in 2027. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 27 - Akshaye Khanna, who has been riding on the success of Dhurandhar, gave a major shock to the makers of the upcoming suspense thriller Drishyam 3 by exiting the film at the last moment. It was reported that the actor demanded high remuneration, among others, which wasn't met and eventually led the actor to exit the film. Now, Drishyam 3's producer Kumar Mangat Pathak has reacted to the news, and he has blasted Akshaye Khanna for his unprofessional behaviour. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, the producer revealed what went on behind the scenes, accusing the actor of making unreasonable demands and stating that he plans to sue him. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) "We had signed an agreement with Akshaye Khanna. His fees also got locked after a lot of renegotiations from his side. He insisted that he would like to wear a wig. But (director) Abhishek Pathak convinced him that it wouldn't be practical, as it would result in continuity issues since Drishyam 3 is a sequel. He understood his point and agreed to let go of that demand. However, the chamchas around him advised him that he would look smarter if he donned a wig. So, he again requested the same. Abhishek relented and was even ready to discuss this point with him. But then, he informed us that he doesn't want to be a part of the film at all", the producer told the portal. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Kumar Mangat Pathak further said that he gave Akshaye a chance in Article 375 (2019) and then Drishyam 2 (2022). He said that the actor was nothing before those films, but started getting big projects after the second instalment of the Ajay Devgn-led franchise. He even said that Akshaye liked the script of Drishyam 3 and confidently said that it is a 500 crore film, and signed the film and took the advances, but 10 days before the shoot commenced, he left the movie. The filmmaker also confirmed the casting of Jaideep Ahlawat, who has replaced Akshaye Khanna. Directed by Abhishek Pathak, the movie also stars Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, Mrunal Jadhav, and Rajat Kapoor in key roles. It is scheduled to release on October 2, 2026. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 27 - Dharma Productions and Namah Pictures' romantic-comedy Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri went down on the second day. Of course, the drop was expected since it had a Christmas release, but the opening itself was not-so-good with 7-8 crores net. Starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Pandey, TMMTMTTM failed to generate pre-release buzz, which was clearly visible in pre-sales (despite the sales being better than many other films, and you know the reason). The makers were still hopeful that the film's biz would pick up on Christmas Day, which didn't happen due to poor reviews and word of mouth. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Sameer Vidwans' directorial, after failing to take a respectable start, went down by 30% to score 5-5.50 crores net on the second day, Friday, pushing total net collection to around 13 crores in 2 days. The film might pick up on Saturday and Sunday, but it will be hard for it to sustain beyond that because of the seemingly poor word of mouth. At the worldwide box office, TMMTMTTM has grossed around 19 crores. The film needs to score over 100 crores to be deemed successful, but it will be an uphill task for it reach there. It has been one of the weakest Christmas releases, and came up against Dhurandhar and Avatar 3, which have dominated the overall biz. The movie could still have performed had the content been good, but it didn't make any impact. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 27 - Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's highly-awaited war drama film Battle of Galwan has confirmed its release date. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film also stars Chitrangda Singh as the female lead alongside Ankur Bhatia and Abhilash Chaudhary in key roles. On the occasion of Salman's 60th birthday on December 27, the makers unveiled the teaser with the confirmation of the April 17, 2026, release date. BoG is based on the events that took place between the Indian and Chinese troops at the Galwan region on June 15, 2020, when 200 Indian soldiers bravely defended their territory against a force of 1200 Chinese Liberation Army soldiers. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Battle of Galwan is produced by Salman Khan Films, and it is shaping up to be one of the most-awaited films of the next year. The teaser directly shows the incident when the soldiers had a deadly confrontation in Galwan Valley. The film stars Salman as Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, who led his men bravely and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously for his sacrifice. The movie is likely to have a solo release on April 17 after Yash Raj Films' Alpha was postponed to a later date. It is the first film of Salman since Sikandar, which was released on March 30 this year. The expectations are high for this upcoming film, which is one of the marquee releases of 2026. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 28 – Thalapathy Vijay is gearing up for one last dance as his much-anticipated political action drama Jana Nayagan is confirmed to be his last film. With buzz going over the roof, the film is set to get a wider release nationwide, including Hindi, unlike any other previous films of Vijay. With its Hindi version titled Jan Neta, the film is set to be the most ambitious Hindi rollout for a Vijay-starrer. The makers have confirmed that Jan Neta will not be limited to select theatres but will instead see a full-fledged release in both multiplex chains and single screens, ensuring deep penetration in Hindi-speaking belts. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Zee Studios has come on board to handle the Hindi distribution, underlining the scale and confidence behind the project. With the Hindi version's release confirmed to be screened in national chains, it means Jan Neta will have a proper 8-week theatrical window in Hindi, which is not a regular case with South Indian titles. Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan features Vijay in a powerful, people-centric role, with Pooja Hegde as the female lead and Bobby Deol playing a key antagonist. The film is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on January 9, 2026, coinciding with the Pongal festive weekend, a period traditionally dominated by big Tamil releases. Alongside Tamil and Hindi, the movie will also release in Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 28 – Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar has once again rewritten the Bollywood box office record books by delivering an unprecedented fourth weekend domestically. The Aditya Dhar-directed spy action thriller has emerged not just as a blockbuster but as a historic theatrical phenomenon, setting benchmarks that are looking unreal. Dhurandhar collected a massive 58 crore net collection in its 4th weekend, after another 20+ crores on Sunday. What makes the achievement even more extraordinary is that the film has also gone on to register the biggest fourth week in Hindi, comfortably surpassing Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 - The Rule, which had collected 53.75 crore net in its fourth week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) These are unheard numbers for an Indian film in the 4th week. With this sensational run, Dhurandhar's total domestic net collection has crossed 690 crore in just 24 days, which is already the highest-ever net total for a Bollywood film. No other Hindi film in history has managed to reach this milestone, underlining the film's exceptional word-of-mouth and repeat audience value. The film's sustained dominance at the box office is particularly remarkable given that collections usually witness a sharp decline after the third week. Instead, Dhurandhar has defied conventional trends, maintaining strong occupancy across multiplexes and mass circuits alike, while continuing to draw audiences despite new releases over the Christmas weekend. Dhurandhar will be crossing the 700 crores mark by tomorrow or Tuesday, and then, its journey to beat Pushpa 2's 800+ crores Hindi net will commence. With new releases failing to challenge the film's dominance, the Ranveer Singh-starrer is well on course to become the number 1 Hindi grosser of all-time. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 28 – James Cameron's sci-fi epic Avatar: Fire and Ash continues its strong global run at the box office. The third instalment in the blockbuster Avatar franchise has crossed the $750 million mark worldwide through the second weekend, racing towards the coveted billion-dollar club. After opening to massive numbers across key international markets, Avatar: Fire and Ash has shown impressive consistency at the ticket windows. While the film may not match the record-shattering pace of Avatar (2009) or Avatar: The Way of Water, its current trajectory indicates a long and steady theatrical run. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Avatar 3 has grossed $217.70 million at the domestic (North America) box office, while its overseas gross is $542.70 million, for the worldwide cume total of $760.40 million at the end of the second weekend. China remains the biggest international market for the film with almost $100 million, followed by France with $54 million, and Germany with $43 million. In India, the James Cameron directorial is also putting up solid numbers. The film is nearing the $20 million mark, having already scored 168 crores ($18.70 million) after 10 days. Despite facing stiff competition from major Indian releases, Avatar: Fire and Ash has emerged as the highest-grossing Hollywood film of the year in the country so far. Avatar: Fire & Ash is heading towards $1 billion by this week. It is projected to gross $400+ million domestically and $1.5+ billion worldwide. It has also cross $6 billion mark for the franchise, making it the highest-grossing trilogy at the worldwide box office. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

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.

BY SACNILK TEAM

The numbers are in, and 2025 has officially rewritten the rules of Indian Cinema. For the first nine months, the verdict was clear: the audience had brutally rejected expensive mediocrity and embraced films with a soul. The Roots & Period genre was the undisputed king—until the year-end arrived. Just when the trade had written off the Spy/Action template, Dhurandhar exploded onto the scene, proving that the Genre Gamble isn't about the category, but the conviction. The 2025 report card shows a fascinating battle. On one side, Roots & Period Cinema generated nearly ₹2000 Crores combined. On the other, the Action Genre saw the most violent fluctuations—from the disastrous crashes of the Spy Universe to the historic, record-shattering run of Dhurandhar. THE SPY-ACTION For most of 2025, the Action genre was in a state of mourning as the catastrophic crash of the Spy/Cop template—symbolized by the failure of War 2 —served as a brutal wake-up call to the industry. While War 2 managed a global gross of ₹364 Crore, it ultimately stood as a commercial underperformer against its massive ₹400 Cr+ budget, further confirmed that the standard template was rapidly losing steam. However, the arrival of Dhurandhar single-handedly salvaged the genre's reputation; as of Day 21, bolstered by a strong third Thursday early estimate of ₹26.00 Cr, the film has reached an All-Time Blockbuster status with a towering India Net of ₹633.5 Cr and a Worldwide Gross of ₹985 Cr. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) By decimating the records of global hits like Coolie (₹518 Crore worldwide) and outshining underperformers such as Sikandar (₹184 Cr) and Sky Force (₹150 Cr), Dhurandhar—with its massive (₹215 Cr) overseas haul—has proved that Action remains the undisputed highest-grossing genre when a high-stakes narrative is backed by a genuine emotional pulse. THE ROOTS & PERIOD CINEMA: While Dhurandhar took the individual #1 spot, the Roots & Period genre was the most consistent winner of the year. Kantara: Chapter 1 ruled the global charts for months with a staggering ₹852 Crore, proving that folklore is a global currency. In the Hindi belt, the real movement was Chhaava. Vicky Kaushal's historical epic roared with ₹586 Crore Net in Hindi (₹601.54 Cr All Lang). It sustained a majestic 6-week run, proving that cultural pride is the new gold standard. Regional hits like Mirai (₹144 Cr) and Kesari Chapter 2 (₹145 Cr) further cemented this genre as the safest bet for investors in 2025. THE ROMANCE RESURRECTION: In the most shocking turnaround of the decade, the Romantic Drama genre delivered 2025's biggest surprise: Saiyaara. Shattering all theatrically dead labels, the film amassed a global gross of ₹570 Crore (₹330 Cr Hindi Net). It single-handedly outperformed action juggernauts like War 2 and Sikandar, proving that when music and chemistry click, a traditional romance can still deliver Animal-level numbers. While mid-range films like De De Pyaar De 2 (₹111 Cr) were average, Saiyaara remains the Dark Horse of the year. FRANCHISE COMEDY & HORROR-COMEDY: THE PROFIT PLAY While they didn't hit the 500-crore mark, Comedy was the most profitable genre due to controlled budgets. Housefull 5: ₹289 Crore (Solid Resilience) Sitaare Zameen Par: ₹268 Crore (Emotional Dramedy Hit) Thama: ₹188 Crore (Horror-Comedy Success) Jolly LLB 3: ₹172 Cr (High ROI) Lokah: Chapter 1: ₹304 Crore (Massive South Blockbuster; ₹4 Cr Hindi) 2025 was the year the Genre Gamble was won by Conviction. Whether it was the Maratha valor of Chhaava, the divine folklore of Kantara, the soulful melody of Saiyaara, or the relentless pace of Dhurandhar, the winners were films that stayed true to their promise.