BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 1 - The divine animated spectacle Mahavatar Narsimha is showing no sign of slowing down and continues to roar at the box office even in its sixth week of release despite the continuation of new releases. On its 38th day, the film grossed around 3–3.25 crores in India, showcasing remarkable consistency. In the 6th weekend, the Ashwin Kumar's directorial grossed 6.25+ crores, and with this, its domestic gross has surged past 290 crores (244+ crores net), cementing its position as one of the most successful films ever produced in India. Globally, Mahavatar Narsimha has amassed an impressive 317 crores worldwide, underlining its massive acceptance across audiences. Mahavatar Narsimha's refusal to slow down, even after weeks, has been a hallmark of its box office run so far, as the collections are still holding strongly. It now stands a realistic chance of crossing the 300 crore gross mark in India. The performance of upcoming weekend releases will determine whether the film achieves this milestone or misses it by a whisker. More than just box office numbers, Mahavatar Narsimha has become a cultural movement, resonating with family audiences, children, and devotees alike. Its spiritual core, combined with cutting-edge animation, has helped the film break stereotypes around Indian animated cinema, proving that such projects can achieve massive commercial as well as emotional impact. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 31: Director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is back with the final film in his Files trilogy, The Bengal Files, which is carrying the uncanny buzz in the trade and audiences alike. Following the historic success of The Kashmir Files (2022), which emerged as one of the biggest post-pandemic blockbusters in India, expectations are sky-high for Agnihotri's latest venture. The political reality drama is scheduled to release on September 5, and the advance ticket sales for the same have begun on August 31 in key circuits. Exhibitors believe the film could build momentum over the coming days, especially with strong word-of-mouth likely to play a pivotal role — a trend similar to what fueled The Kashmir Files into a nationwide phenomenon. The industry has largely been silent on Agnihotri's last few films, and the same is the case with The Bengal Files; even the trade, as a whole, is not throwing its hat in on what could be the outcome of this movie, which is very much similar to TKF on many levels. The Kashmir Files benefitted from raw audience emotions and word-of-mouth growth, and that might be the advantage for The Bengal Files, which is, as said, similar in genre and ignites the same emotions. The film has already generated conversations online, with discussions about its sensitive subject matter and Vivek Agnihotri's storytelling approach. Can It Match The Kashmir Files? The Kashmir Files stunned the trade by grossing over 340 crores worldwide on a modest budget, becoming one of the most profitable films in Indian cinema history. The big question is whether The Bengal Files can replicate that trajectory. Well, that is a question which will be answered once the film hits the screens. However, as said, there are similarities between the two films, including the dark history, which can be a game-changer for the film. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, August 31 - The Malayalam cinema's Marvel-sque blockbuster Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, fronted by Kalyani Priyadarshan, is proving to be a force at the global box office. The film started as an underdog, but turned into a phenomenon with excellent growth over the weekend. After the better-than-expected opening (Thursday), followed by big growth on Friday, the film witnessed another excellent jump of over 65% on Saturday (Day 3), taking its worldwide collection to impressive new heights. On its third day, Lokah grossed around 20 crores worldwide, marking its biggest single-day total so far. The growth came both from the domestic market and overseas territories, showcasing its wide appeal. In India, the superhero saga grossed around 8.50 crores, while overseas collection was 11-12 crores. With Saturday's extraordinary performance, Lokah has reached a 3-day worldwide total of around 39–40+ crores gross. The upward trend has not only solidified the film's position at the box office but also opened the gates for an even bigger Sunday haul. The film has been riding high on positive reviews and strong word of mouth, especially for Kalyani Priyadarshan’s refreshing take on a homegrown superhero. With momentum on its side, Lokah is expected to soar further on Sunday and finish its first weekend with a massive total of 60+ crores gross. If the trend continues, the film could be on course to hit the ₹100 crore worldwide club in the opening week itself, making it one of the strongest openers in Malayalam cinema. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 30 – Kaleem Productions and Hombale Films' Mahavatar Narsimha continues its glorious run at the box office even after completing more than five weeks in cinemas. The film, which has been a crowd-puller since its release, showed yet another strong jump on Day 37, reaffirming its solid hold over audiences. On Day 36 (6th Friday), the film grossed around 1.15 crore in all languages. However, Day 37 (6th Saturday) witnessed a solid jump as the collections almost doubled, bringing in an estimated 2–2.25 crore gross. This upward trend highlights the film’s strong word of mouth and sustained audience interest despite multiple new releases. With this jump, Mahavatar Narsimha has now grossed approximately 287 crore in India (241 crore net). The film's worldwide gross has climbed to around 313 crore, a massive feat for an animated title. Since its release, the film has consistently surprised trade experts with its resilience at the ticket window. After strong opening weeks, it managed to maintain steady weekday numbers and sharp weekend jumps. The latest surge proves that Mahavatar Narsimha still has fuel left in its theatrical journey. With positive word of mouth and minimal competition in certain circuits, the film is expected to add more to its lifetime tally, as it will be aiming to go past the 325 crore mark globally. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, August 30 - Director Prashanth Neel is looking to rewrite history with his upcoming film, tentatively titled Dragon with Telugu superstar Jr. NTR. The maverick filmmaker has delivered three back-to-back blockbusters in the KGF films and Salaar, but he aims to take his game to the next level with Dragon. There is no doubt NTR-Neel is among the biggest Indian films in the making, and if the reports are anything to go by, it could become Neel's biggest blockbuster yet. According to a recent report in Hindustan Times, "Prashanth Neel’s next with Jr NTR is his most ambitious and biggest project yet; even bigger than his pan-India blockbusters like KGF and Salaar." Dragon, which is said to be a unique script that hasn't been seen in Indian cinema before, is believed to be a film Neel has dreamt of making from the very beginning, and he found his favourite actor, Jr NTR, to headline this mega movie. The film is being produced by Mythri Movie Makers and NTR Arts, and it is said that there are no budget constraints to mount to film on a scale the filmmaker wants. He is reportedly happy with the way the film is shaping up, as it is progressing beyond what he had even imagined. Dragon has been announced for a June 2026 release worldwide in multiple languages. The first look announcement had been planned for Jr NTR's birthday in May, but it was postponed to make way for NTR's Bollywood debut, War 2, which was released on August 14. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 30 - Kaleem Productions and Hombale Films' animated epic Mahavatar Narsimha is flexing its box office stamina after 5 weeks, despite the arrival of new releases. Directed by Ashwin Kumar, the film had already crossed the magical milestone of 300 crores worldwide within 5 weeks, and kicked off the 6th weekend on a strong note. The first film in the epic Mahavatar Cinematic Universe, Mahavatar Narsimha, remained over one crore gross on its sixth Friday at the domestic box office. As per estimates, it has scored approximately 1.15 crores gross in all versions, pushing the total India gross to around 285 crores (239 crores net) in 36 days. Worldwide, it has crossed 310 crores gross collection. The game-changing blockbuster has defied the odds and emerged as one of the biggest Indian blockbusters of recent times, and by far the biggest Indian animated blockbuster of all time. Animation is a niche genre in India, with hardly any films coming out. Mahavatar Narsimha, however, is expected to change the mindset of Indian filmmakers regarding the making of animated titles. It has already begun with Mahavatar Cinematic Universe, in which there will be a total of seven films by 2038. The next film in the MCU is Mahavtar Parashurama, which begins production next year and will be released in 2027. The lack of Indian animation titles can be understood with the fact that it was Hanuman, two decades ago in 2005, which was previously the biggest Indian animated title with around 12 crores gross. Though some of the Hollywood animated films have found box office success in India, with titles like The Lion King and Mufasa: The Lion King. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 30 - Maddock Films’ romantic comedy Param Sundari has kicked off its box office journey on a promising note, emerging as one of the strongest openers of the year in its genre. The film, directed by Tushar Jalota, had decent pre-sales, which led to its expected opening. Headlined by Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, Param Sundari collected around 7.25 crore net on the opening day. This marks Sidharth's fifth biggest opening to date and his strongest since Thank God (2022). In terms of solo outings, it is his biggest opener since Marjaavaan (2019). Director Mohit Suri's Ek Villain (2014) continues to remain Sidharth's career-best opening day grosser with 16.70 crores net, followed by 2015's Brothers (15.21 crores), which also starred Akshay Kumar. Thank God, co-starring Ajay Devgn, takes the 3rd spot at 8.10 crores, while the actor's debut movie, Student Of The Year (2014), is the 4th biggest opener with 7.48 crores net. Param Sundari's good start comes as a welcome relief for Malhotra, who has struggled at the box office in the post-pandemic era. Backed by positive critics' reviews and encouraging word of mouth, the rom-com is poised to enjoy a solid opening weekend, which is expected to be around 30 crores net. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 30 - The much-awaited trailer of the Tiger Shroff-fronted A-rated action thriller Baaghi 4 has been released on August 30. The film is directed by Kannada director A Harsha and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under the banner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. Also starring Sanjay Dutt, Sonam Bajwa, and Harnaaz Sandhu, the Baaghi 4 trailer is filled with non-stop, blood-soaked action and clearly shows why it received an A-rating. Some of the scenes might draw criticism for the gore visuals; otherwise, the trailer is intense. It is the 4th instalment of Sajid Nadiadwala's blockbuster Baaghi franchise, which features Tiger as he returns to reprise his role as Ronnie. The rest of the cast is new to the franchise, adding another layer to the series' growing stature. The film is scheduled to release on September 5. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, August 30 - The Onam box office clash between Mohanlal's family comedy drama Hridayapoorvam and Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero spectacle Lokah Chapter 1 – Chandra has taken a drastic turn on Day 2 after the former winning the opening day battle at the domestic and worldwide box office. What looked like a comfortable lead for Hridayapoorvam after its solid opening has now shifted gears, as Lokah gained major momentum powered by positive word of mouth. On its opening day, Mohanlal's Hridayapoorvam emerged as the bigger film with around 8.50 crores gross worldwide against Lokah's 6.50+ crores gross, but by Day 2, the tables had turned. Lokah, with its fresh superhero theme and youth appeal, saw a sharp jump in occupancy across urban centres, especially in multiplexes and late-night shows. The film's strong reception among Gen Z as well as families has clearly given it an edge, as it grossed over 10 crores worldwide on the second day, while Mohanlal-starrer made around 7 crores. Lokah not only matched but overtook Hridayapoorvam in almost every key territory, including Kerala and overseas. The buzz on social media is also playing a huge role, as clips and fan reviews praising Kalyani's performance perfectly blend with the superhero theme, pulling more audiences to theatres. Meanwhile, Hridayapoorvam—though still performing decently—appears to be settling into a more steady run after its big holiday push. With Sunday and the festive weekend ahead, both films still have plenty of scope, but Lokah is now being seen as the frontrunner in this clash. After two days of the box office run, Lokah is leading at around 18 crores gross, against Hridayapoorvam, which has minted approximately 15 crores worldwide. The big question: will Lokah's superhero fever continue to rise through the weekend, or will Hridayapoorvam bounce back with family footfalls? Either way, this clash has turned the Onam season into one of the most exciting box office battles of the year. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 29 - Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor's romantic comedy Param Sundari has opened on the expected lines at the domestic box office, as suggested by the pre-sales response and trade projection. It would have been very good had the film managed to hit double digits, but the opening is still good for the cast. According to the early estimates, the Maddock Films' production scored 7-7.50 crores net, which is among the biggest openings for Sidharth. The numbers might go a little higher depending on the response in the smaller centres, but it is more or less likely to come in the estimated range. The opening of Param Sundari is a little better than Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon's Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya Mein, which had a similar genre and almost a similar release size. TBMAUJ went on to become a success story, and here, Param Sundari can achieve the same, as the initial reception seems to be good. Param Sundari managed to generate decent buzz through the trailer and songs, which worked with the young audience. Even though the pre-sales were not that strong, it was expected to get a good response in the walk-ins due to its family-friendly content, which has happened. All eyes are now on the growth over Saturday and Sunday, as the movie eyes 30 crores net opening weekend, which will be a good result. The good thing is that there is no big new release this weekend, while holdovers are also exhausting, which should help Param Sundari over the weekend. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 29 - Director Anurag Basu's Metro... In Dino had a decent outing at the box office, amid the low buzz and anticipation. Released in July first week, the big ensemble urban romantic drama has wrapped up its theatrical journey and moved to digital after 8 weeks of theatrical run. Featuring a star-studded cast including Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sensharma, Anupam Kher, and Neena Gupta, Metro In Dino was reportedly made on a budget of around 50 crores, and grossed approximately 70 crores worldwide, including around 64 crores in India. After completing its box office journey, the spiritual sequel to Basu's acclaimed 2007 anthology film Life in a... Metro has started streaming on Netflix on August 29. As per unofficial reports, the film was sold to Netflix for 40 crores, as a result of the box office outcome. The film is expected to score good viewership on Netflix as it received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its ensemble performances, thematic depth, and Pritam's music. The movie, however, has its limitations due to its urban theme, which doesn't resonate with the masses. Metro... In Dino may not have shattered box office records, but it emerged as a critically appreciated and commercially decent venture. With its 70 crore worldwide gross and now a Netflix release, the film is expected to find new viewers beyond cinemas, much like Basu's earlier works that grew stronger with time. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, August 29 - Superstar Rajinikanth led his gangster action drama Coolie crawl past the 500 crores mark at the worldwide box office, making it only the 4th Tamil film ever to achieve the milestone. The movie had to battle its way to reach the coveted box office mark, despite the record start. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie joins Rajinikanth's own blockbusters - 2 Point 0 and Jailer, along with Thalapathy Vijay's Leo - to emerge as the 4th Tamil title to make its way into the 500 crores club globally. 2 Point 0 remains the biggest grosser with around 700 crores, as Coolie set to finish at 4, behind Jailer (605 crores), and Leo (606 crores). While Coolie brings in the lures for Tamil cinema, it also expands the South Indian cinema's 500 crores club grossers list to 11. This has been dominated by the Telugu film industry with 6 titles in the list, while Kannada has one in the form of Yash-fronted KGF: Chapter 2. SS Rajamouli's groundbreaking blockbuster, Baahubali 2 (2017), remains the biggest South Indian grosser at the worldwide box office with close to 1800 crores gross. It was also the first South Indian blockbuster to become the 1000 crores gross, while its predecessor, Baahubali - The Beginning, was the first to breach the milestone of 500 crores gross in 2015. Overall, Coolie is the 27th Indian film of all time to reach the landmark of 500 crores gross worldwide. The list is dominated by Bollywood with 16 titles, including Aamir Khan's sports drama Dangal, which is the highest-grossing Indian film ever with over 2000 crores collection. Here Are The 500 Crore South Indian Grosser At The Worldwide Box Office (Est.)RankFilm TitleOriginal LanguageTotal WW GBOC1.Baahubali 2 The Conclusion (2017)Telugu₹ 1788.00 Cr2.Pushpa: The Rule - Part 2 (2024)Telugu₹ 1742.00 Cr3.RRR (2022)Telugu₹ 1230.00 Cr4.KGF Chapter 2 (2022)Kannada₹ 1215.00 Cr.5.Kalki 2898 AD (2024)Telugu₹ 1042.25 Cr6.2.0 (2018)Tamil₹ 691.00 Cr7.Baahubali (2015)Telugu₹ 650.00 Cr8.Salaar: Cease Fire - Part 1 (2023)Telugu₹ 617.75 Cr9.Leo (2023)Tamil₹ 605.90 Cr10.Jailer (2023)Tamil₹ 604.50 Cr11.Coolie (2025)Tamil₹ 500.25 Cr**Note: Data as of August 29, 2025 Stay tuned...