BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 23 - Ranveer Singh-fronted Dhurandhar has once again topped Allu Arjun's action drama Pushpa 2 - The Rule before the deadline ends, by becoming the biggest third week grosser at the Hindi box office in just 4 days. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy action thriller has minted approximately 111.75 crores net in just 4 days of the third week, outgrossing the entire third week collection of Pushpa 2, which minted 103 crores net in Hindi in December last year. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Earlier, Dhurandhar had recorded the biggest second week also in just 5 days, showing a trend like no other film in Indian cinema history. The movie continues to exceed expectations, defying the trade projections by a margin. In 18 days so far, the film has scored 572 crores net, which is the highest of the year in Hindi. Dhurandhar has already become the highest-grossing Indian film of the year at the overseas and worldwide box office. So far, it has grossed over 875 crores in 18 days and is expected to cross the 900 crore mark by the end of the day, followed by the 1000 crore mark, mostly over the Christmas weekend. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 22 - It has been more than a decade since James Cameron's Avatar franchise kicked off in 2009, and it still carries that fire when it comes to the box office as the latest instalment - Avatar: Fire and Ash just broke the bank at the worldwide weekend box office. The third film in Cameorn's planned 5-part sci-fi epic has one of the biggest openings for a 2025 title, even when it couldn't match the opening of its predecessor - Avatar: Way of Water. Touted as the darkest chapter of the franchise yet, Fire and Ash delivered a worldwide opening weekend of $347.30 million. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Avatar: Fire & Ash has had the third biggest global opening of 2025, behind only Zootopia 2 ($560.30 million) and China's animated title Ne Zha 2 ($431.20 million). In comparison to the other Avatar movies, the latest instalment lands in between Avatar ($232 million) and Avatar: Way of Water ($441.70 million). The film's domestic (North America) opening weekend lended at $89.20 million, which took a big dip from Way of Water's $134.10 million launch but better than the original Avatar's $77 million debut. Overseas, the film minted $258.10 million, against Way of Water's $307.60 million. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) China was the biggest international market for the film in its opening weekend, with $57.6 million, followed by France with $21.4 million, and Germany with $18 million. In India, the sci-fi epic debuted with $9.2 million (82+ crores gross) over the 3-day weekend, which is a good collection but significantly down from Way of Water's 157 crore gross opening weekend. Avatar films are known for their longevity at the global box office, and the trade is already on the job to understand how far it can go. While the trade is ruling out the $2 billion club, the movie is still expected to make $1.5+ billion worldwide, which is roughly 4x its budget. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

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...

BY SACNILK TEAM

Aditya Dhar's espionage thriller Dhurandhar is no longer just a domestic blockbuster; it has officially become a global phenomenon.In a historic first for Indian cinema, the Ranveer Singh starrer has secured a spot in the Global Box Office Top 5 for three consecutive weekends, standing tall alongside Hollywood titans like Avatar and Disney’s Zootopia. While several Indian films have broken into the global Top 10 for a single weekend, Dhurandhar has displayed unprecedented legs internationally.Its third-weekend performance saw it holding the #5 spot worldwide, despite facing the massive release of James Cameron's Avatar: Fire and Ash. While Indian films often make a splash in their opening weekends, Dhurandhar has shown unprecedented staying power. It has held its ground against major Hollywood releases like Avatar: Fire and Ash and Zootopia 2. Dhurandhar Global Rankings: 1st Weekend: #5 2nd Weekend: #3 3rd Weekend: #5 Global Top 5 (Weekend: Dec 19–21, 2025): Avatar: Fire and Ash – $345 M Zootopia 2 – $91 M David – $22.11 M The Housemaid – $19.16 M Dhurandhar – $16.04 M Data Source: Comscore (Verified as of Dec 22, 2025) With a worldwide gross now standing at ₹ 847 Cr, Dhurandhar will breach the ₹1000 Crore Worldwide mark before the New Year, cementing Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh's status as a powerhouse duo in the Pan-World era of Indian cinema.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 22 - One of the most successful film franchises, Drishyam, is returning for the possibly final chapter as Bollywood star Ajay Devgn has officially announced Drishyam 3 on December 22 amid the months of speculation. Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay Salgaonkar in Drishyam 3, which has been in the news ever since the second part was released in 2022. Director Abhishek Pathak returns to helm the third film, which has already commenced filming recently. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Apart from Ajay Devgn, the original ensemble star cast, including Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, and other celebrated actors, will be seen in Drishyam 3, which has been confirmed to hit the big screens on October 2, 2026, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. Presented by Star Studio18, the Panorama Studios production is written by Abhishek Pathak, Aamil Keeyan Khan, and Parveez Shaikh. Reportedly, the film will be different from the original Malayalam version of Drishyam 3, for which the shoot has already completed. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December — Director Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar, headlined by Ranveer Singh, has scripted history at the worldwide box office. The high-octane spy action thriller has become the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 worldwide, outperforming Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 (852 crores gross). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Dhurandhar's extraordinary theatrical run has pushed its worldwide gross beyond 850 crore in 17 days, cementing its position at the top of the 2025 box office charts. With robust footfalls in India and a phenomenal response in overseas markets, the film has shown rare consistency, registering strong weekday numbers even after record-breaking weekends. In India, the Aditya Dhar directorial has benefited from repeat audience turnout, backed by extremely positive word of mouth. It has performed exceptionally well in both mass and multiplex centres, and the trend suggests it is unlikely to stop anytime soon. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Overseas, Dhurandhar has delivered one of the strongest performances ever for a Hindi-language action thriller. Markets such as North America, the UK, and Australia have played a crucial role in pushing the film past every other film. It is the highest-grossing Indian title of the year at the overseas box office. The milestone marks a defining moment for actor Ranveer Singh as well as for director Aditya Dhar, whose vision and scale have translated into both critical appreciation and box office dominance. With its sustained run and minimal drop-offs, Dhurandhar is now eyeing the next major benchmark, which is 1000 crores global haul. As 2025 draws to a close, Dhurandhar stands tall as the undisputed box office king of the year, redefining the commercial potential of Indian action cinema on the global stage. With upcoming films unlikely to make this much, Dhurandhar will finish the year as the biggest Indian grosser of the year. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, December 22 - Telugu veteran actor Nandamuri Balakrishna's much-anticipated sequel Akhanda 2: Thaandavam, which was released amid a big hype in Telugu states, has failed to make any impact at the Hindi box office, turning out to be a massive disaster in the North Indian market. Despite strong pre-release hype in Telugu states and the success of the first Akhanda, the Hindi-dubbed version of the sequel was a non-starter and ended up as one of the biggest dubbed sequels. The film opened to extremely low numbers in Hindi circuits, with collections remaining negligible throughout its short theatrical run. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) After the release of Akhanda in 2021, the film generated hype with its limited theatrical run and on OTT, presumably setting the base for a sequel to stand a real chance to perform at the Hindi box office. However, due to delayed release and Dhurandhar phenomena, Akhanda 2 found negligible audience in North India. Directed by Boyapti Srinu, Akhanda 2 has always wrapped up its Hindi theatrical run with daily collection falling below 1 lakh. In 10 days so far, action drama has grossed around 85 lakh, heading towards finishing under 1 crore in Hindi. Reportedly, the makers spent 2-3 crores on print and publicity of the film in the Hindi belt, which the movie has failed to recover. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) A major reason behind the poor performance is the lack of connect with the Hindi audience. While Balakrishna enjoys a cult following in Telugu states, his brand of high-octane mass cinema has struggled to translate into success in North India. Negative reviews and word of mouth further dented the film's prospects, leading to sharp drops in collection. The disappointing Hindi performance stands in stark contrast to the film's expectations, especially considering its grand scale, heavy budget, and sequel factor. Even in the all-India context, despite crossing the 100 crores mark, Akhanda 2 has underperformed relative to its cost, making recovery almost impossible for distributors. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

Today, December 22, 2025, marks a massive milestone for the Rebel Star Prabhas and the dystopian world of Khansaar. It has been exactly two years since the storm of Salaar: Part 1 Ceasefire hit the big screens, and the makers have celebrated the occasion by sharing a powerful anniversary poster that has set the internet on fire. Taking to social media, Hombale Films shared a special poster featuring Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran to commemorate the second anniversary. The production house accompanied the post with a stirring message that looks back at the madness unleashed in 2023: 2 years ago, a storm was unleashed. The world witnessed #Salaar in full fury. Fuelled by your love, the journey marches on… The next chapter unfolds with Shouryaanga Parvam. #Salaar2 This official update has effectively debunked recent rumors suggesting the project was shelved, confirming that the war is very much alive and preparing for its next phase. 2 YEARS since the madness of #SalaarCeaseFire stormed cinemas worldwide.And even now, the rage, the #Salaar spirit, remains unstoppable.Forever grateful for all the love ❤️‍🔥The war begins soon with #Salaar2 ⚔️#2YearsForSalaarReign #Prabhas #PrashanthNeel @PrithviOfficial… pic.twitter.com/XL3yBIYgiP— Hombale Films (@hombalefilms) December 22, 2025 In 2023, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire redefined the high-octane action genre in Indian cinema Directed by Prashanth Neel, the film's dark-themed world-building and the intense brotherhood between Deva and Varadha captured the imagination of the audience worldwide. Salaar: Part 1 emerged as a true box office juggernaut: India Nett Collection: ₹406.45 Crore (All Languages) Worldwide Gross: ₹617.75 Crore Opening Day Record: It shattered records with an opening day global gross of over ₹158.10 Crore, proving the massive pull of the Prabhas-Neel combination. Even two years later, the Salaar spirit remains unstoppable, with the film continuing to maintain a solid recall among fans as they celebrate Prabhas as their rebel icon. While the primary focus is celebrating the two-year reign of the first part, the makers have teased that the war begins soon for the sequel.Titled Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryaanga Parvam, the second installment is set to delve deeper into the political intrigue and the fierce battles for the throne of Khansaar. Reports suggest that director Prashanth Neel had already completed a portion of the sequel's shoot during the production of Part 1.With this anniversary update, anticipation has reached a fever pitch as fans wait for the full-fledged filming to resume.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

This Christmas, movie lovers are in for the ultimate treat as nine massive films from across the country are all set to hit the big screen on the same day. From Kartik Aaryan's romantic vibes to Mohanlal's epic fantasy and Kichcha Sudeep's high-octane action, December 25th is going to be a total cinematic carnival. 1. Anaconda (English/Multi) Director: Tom Gormican Cast: Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton Sony Pictures' meta-reboot is the surprise wild card. Unlike the 1997 original, this is a horror-comedy about a film crew trying to make a movie about a giant snake, only to find one. The humor is expected to pull massive urban youth audiences. 2. Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri(Hindi) Director: Sameer Vidwans Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Ananya Panday, Jackie Shroff Kartik Aaryan's return to the romantic genre after his action streak in 2024. This Dharma Productions film is a modern-day take on soulmates. The album is already a viral hit on Spotify, ensuring a huge opening in the North belt. 3. Sirai (Tamil) Director: Suresh Rajakumari Cast: Vikram Prabhu, LK Akshay Kumar, Anishma Anilkumar This survival thriller is Vikram Prabhu's 25th film. The story revolves around a prison break and a constable's struggle to keep his humanity. It's expected to perform exceptionally well in B and C centers of Tamil Nadu. 4. Retta Thala (Tamil) Director: Kris Thirukumaran Cast: Arun Vijay (Dual Role), Siddhi Idnani Arun Vijay plays a protagonist and an antagonist in this high-octane crime thriller. With music by Sam CS, the Arun Vijay action brand is currently at its peak after the trailer went viral for its raw action choreography. 5. Mark (Kannada) Director: Vijay Kartikeyaa Cast: Kichcha Sudeep, Shine Tom Chacko, Naveen Chandra Sudeep plays SP Ajay Markandeya in this 18-hour ticking-clock thriller. Filming wrapped on Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru, after 110 days of intense work. It marks the second collaboration between Sudeep and Kartikeyaa after Max. 6. 45 (Kannada) Director: Arjun Janya Cast: Shivarajkumar, Upendra, Raj B Shetty Verified Buzz: Possibly the biggest multi-starrer in Sandalwood history. Director Arjun Janya's debut is a philosophical action drama. The combination of Shivarajkumar and Upendra is guaranteed to set the Karnataka box office on fire. 7. Shambhala (Telugu) Director: Ugandhar Muni Cast: Aadi Saikumar, Archana Iyer, Ravi Varma A mystical thriller centered on ancient secrets and a comet strike. Following the Hanu-Man trend, this film is banking on VFX and spiritual elements to capture the family audience in the Telugu states. 8. Sarvam Maya (Malayalam) Director: Akhil Sathyan Cast: Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Janardhanan Nivin Pauly returns to the comedy genre with this horror-satire. Early screenings suggest it's a laugh-riot with a hidden social message, making it Mollywood's primary festive choice. 9. Vrusshabha (Malayalam/Telugu) Director: Nanda Kishore Cast: Mohanlal, Roshan Meka, Shanaya Kapoor The largest Pan-Indian production in this list. Mohanlal plays a dual-timeline role in this fantasy epic. It is being released in over 4,000 screens globally, targeting the highest worldwide opening for any December 2025 release.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Indian box office has a new member in its most prestigious club. Aditya Dhar's spy-action spectacle Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has officially crossed the ₹500 crore nett milestone at the domestic box office. Reaching this target on its 16th day, it has become the fastest outright Bollywood film to do so, surpassing the previous record held by Jawan (18 days). This achievement cements 2025 as a historic year for Indian cinema, contributing three blockbusters to the all-time Top 13 list. Below is the official list of Indian films that have surpassed ₹500 crore in nett collections (All Languages) in India, ranked by their release timeline: Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) – ₹1,030.42 Cr KGF: Chapter 2 (2022) – ₹859.70 Cr RRR (2022) – ₹782.20 Cr Pathaan (2023) – ₹543.09 Cr Jawan (2023) – ₹640.25 Cr Gadar 2 (2023) – ₹525.70 Cr Animal (2023) – ₹553.87 Cr Kalki 2898 AD (2024) – ₹646.31 Cr Stree 2 (2024) – ₹597.99 Cr Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024) – ₹1,234.10 Cr Chhaava (2025) – ₹601.54 Cr Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1 (2025) – ₹622.43 Cr Dhurandhar (2025) – ₹555.5 Cr* Note: Dhurandhar is still in its theatrical run; figures are as of Dec 22, 2025. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The emergence of the ₹500 crore nett club signifies a major shift in the Indian film industry, highlighting the growing dominance of Pan India blockbusters. Currently, the list is led by Bollywood (Hindi Cinema) with 7 films, featuring massive hits like Pathaan, Jawan, Gadar 2, Animal, Stree 2, and the recent 2025 sensations Chhaava and Dhurandhar. This resurgence of Hindi cinema is complemented by the powerhouse performances of Tollywood (Telugu Cinema), which contributes 4 films including the legendary Baahubali 2, RRR, Kalki 2898 AD, and the record-breaking Pushpa 2: The Rule. Rounding out the elite group is Sandalwood (Kannada Cinema) with 2 films, KGF: Chapter 2 and the latest prequel Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1, proving that rooted, regional storytelling can achieve unprecedented national success. In terms of pure box office dominance, Pushpa 2: The Rule remains the undisputed king of the domestic market, holding the highest record with a staggering India nett collection of ₹1,234.10 Cr. It also set the benchmark for speed, becoming the fastest film in history to reach the 500-crore mark, doing so in just 11 days. The year 2025 has already proven to be a golden era for Indian cinema, witnessing a historic surge where three films—Chhaava, Kantara Chapter 1, and Dhurandhar—entered the club in a single year, matching the high-performance record set in 2023.

BY SACNILK TEAM

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.

BY SACNILK TEAM

It's a wrap on 2025, and the Mollywood box office has set new benchmarks with a HUGE cumulative total from its top contenders. The ten highest-grossing original Malayalam films of the year alone have raked in over ₹ 1400 crores worldwide, signaling a massively successful run for the industry. While Lokah: Chapter 1 - Chandra emerged as the historic domestic champion with a ₹ 122.8 Cr Net, the year was defined by the global dominance of L2: Empuraan and a string of high-ROI thrillers. From rooted superhero epics to intense sports dramas, the audience has given a clear verdict. Here's a deep dive into the top 10 Malayalam films that made the biggest impact at the box office in 2025. table td { word-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word; } @media (max-width: 480px) { table td:first-child { width: 40% !important; } } Lokah: Chapter 1 - Chandra DirectorDominic Arun Lead CastKalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen K. Gafoor, Sandy Master Malayalam Net₹ 122.8 Cr Worldwide Gross₹ 303.86 Cr VerdictAll Time Blockbuster Check Out the Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown → A ground-breaking entry in the Malayalam superhero genre, Lokah tells the story of an ordinary youth discovering extraordinary lunar-based powers, set against a culturally rooted backdrop of Kerala's myths. Lokah has rewritten the record books for Mollywood in 2025. With a historic malayalam Net of ₹122.8 Cr and a massive overseas pull of ₹ 119.9 Cr, it proved that Malayalam content can compete on a global scale. Its All Time Blockbuster status is a testament to how a rooted concept, paired with high-quality VFX, can resonate with the masses. Thudarum DirectorTharun Moorthy Lead CastMohanlal, Shobana Malayalam Net₹ 118.6 Cr Worldwide Gross₹ 235.38 Cr VerdictBlockbuster Check Out the Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown → A gripping emotional thriller that explores the psychological aftermath of a family tragedy and the persistence of memory, leading to a shocking investigative climax. Thudarum emerged as the year's most consistent Blockbuster. Its primary strength lay in the domestic market, where it earned ₹118.6 Cr in Malayalam Net, becoming a staple for family audiences. The film's long-term holding capacity on weekdays was the engine of its success, making it one of the most profitable Malayalam ventures of 2025. L2: Empuraan DirectorPrithviraj Sukumaran Lead CastMohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas Malayalam Net₹ 97.34 Cr Worldwide Gross₹ 266.81 Cr VerdictSuperHit Check Out the Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown → The highly anticipated sequel to Lucifer, Empuraan delves into the global empire of Khureshi-Ab'raam and the dark political maneuverings that follow his return to power. L2: Empuraan proved its massive international appeal by raking in ₹142.25 Cr from overseas—the highest for any Malayalam film this year. While its domestic net stood at ₹97.34 Cr, its global dominance cemented Mohanlal's unparalleled pull. Despite the heavy production costs, it secured a SuperHit verdict through its immense volume. Dies Irae DirectorRahul Sadasivan Lead CastPranav Mohanlal,Sushmitha Bhat Malayalam Net₹ 40.93Cr Worldwide Gross₹ 82.18 Cr VerdictBlockbuster Check Out the Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown → Rohan's affluent lifestyle spirals out of control as he is convinced a supernatural entity is in his home. His search for the mystery draws him into unexpected worlds and alliances and the horrors that lie ahead. Dies Irae became the ultimate sleeper hit of mid-2025. Backed by a strong budget of ₹24 Cr, its India Net of ₹40.93 Cr indicates exceptional ROI. Critics praised Pranav Mohanlal's performance and the film's gritty aesthetic, which helped it cross the ₹80 Cr mark globally despite its niche genre. Hridayapoorvam DirectorSathyan Anthikad Lead CastMohanlal, Siddique, Malavika Mohanan Malayalam Net₹ 40.14 Cr Worldwide Gross₹ 76.26 Cr VerdictSuperHit Check Out the Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown → A heartfelt family drama that explores unconditional love and sacrifice, centering on a father's journey to fulfill his daughter's final wish. Hridayapoorvam proved that rooted emotional content still has a massive market in Kerala. Its India Net of ₹40.14 Cr ensured a safe return for its producers, while the SuperHit verdict reflects its broad appeal among family audiences who traditionally shy away from high-intensity action templates. Alappuzha Gymkhana DirectorKhalid Rahman Lead CastNaslen K. Gafoor, Lukman Avari Malayalam Net₹ 40.09 Cr Worldwide Gross₹ 70.6 Cr VerdictSuperHit Check Out the Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown → A visceral sports drama set in the backwaters of Alappuzha, following the rise of a local boxing prodigy as he battles socio-economic hurdles and inner demons. The film's raw energy and authentic portrayal of local sports culture made it a massive success among the youth. With Khalid Rahman's direction ensuring steady buzz, the film grossed over ₹70 Cr worldwide, proving that sports narratives executed with realism can dominate the box office. Kalamkaval DirectorJithin K. Jose Lead CastMammootty, Vinayakan Malayalam Net₹ 34.88 Cr(Theatrical Run Active) Worldwide Gross₹ 79.25 Cr(Theatrical Run Active) VerdictSuccess Check Out the Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown → A high-voltage investigative thriller centered on a ritualistic murder and a race against time by a disgraced officer to find the truth behind a hidden conspiracy. Kalamkaval enjoyed a strong run in its initial weeks, powered by Mammootty's exceptional screen presence and Jithin K. Jose's signature stylistic action. While it faced stiff competition, its Worldwide Gross marks it as a clear theatrical success for Mammootty Kampany. Officer on Duty DirectorJithu Ashraf Lead CastKunchacko Boban, Manoj KU, Jagadish Malayalam Net₹ 30.87 Cr Worldwide Gross₹ 54.01 Cr VerdictSuperHit Check Out the Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown → A fast-paced police procedural following an idealistic young officer as he navigates systemic corruption to solve a high-profile narcotics case. Despite a lower budget compared to other major releases, Officer on Duty managed a worldwide gross of ₹54 Cr. Its SuperHit verdict is attributed to its high ROI and the strong performances of the lead ensemble, making it one of the most profitable police dramas of 2025. Rekhachithram DirectorJofin T. Chacko Lead CastAsif Ali,Anaswara Rajan Malayalam Net₹ 26.6 Cr Worldwide Gross₹ 56.75 Cr VerdictSuper Hit Check Out the Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown → Suspended cop Vivek Gopinath rejoins after gambling scandal. Tasked with solving 40-year-old murder case with faceless victim, he seeks redemption by cracking the long-unsolved mystery. Rekhachithram stands as one of the most profitable Malayalam films of 2025 in terms of Return on Investment (ROI). Directed by Jeethu Joseph, the film proved to be a box office powerhouse, collecting over six times its modest ₹9 Cr budget. With a steady India Net of ₹26.6 Cr and a worldwide gross of ₹56.75 Cr, it comfortably sailed past initial expectations, marking another significant commercial victory for Asif Ali and the director’s impeccable track record of delivering high-quality, profitable thrillers. Eko DirectorDinjith Ayyathan Lead CastSandeep Pradeep, Vineeth, Narain Malayalam Net₹ 24.10 Cr Worldwide Gross₹ 46.47 Cr VerdictSuper Hit Check Out the Day-Wise Box Office Breakdown → A major success story for Mollywood in 2025. Made on a modest budget, its worldwide gross represents a massive return on investment. Directed by Dinjith Ayyathan (Kishkindha Kaandam fame), the film won over audiences through its atmosphere and character-driven narrative, securing a Super Hit verdict.