BY SACNILK

Kochi, January 5 - Malayalam cinema witnessed its watershed moment last year with director Dominic Arun's superhero film Lokah: Chapter 1 - Chandra, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, which went on to become the first 300 crores grosser from the industry, widely hailed as the content factory of Indian cinema. The first in the 5-part planned saga, Lokah Chapter 1, not only became the biggest Mollywood grosser, but also set up the stage for the upcoming films in the franchise to aim for bigger things. The buzz around the second part, which will be headlined by Tovino Thomas, is already sky high as the fans wait for what the next saga has in store. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) As the anticipation continues to build up, a big update regarding the production timeline of Lokah Chapter 2 has revealed. During a recent interview, director Arun had confirmed that he has started work on the script, and as per the latest report, the makers are set to take it on the floors by the last quarter of 2026. The buzz is that the makers are aiming to release the film during the Onam 2027 festive season, just like the first part, which was released on August 28, 2025. Onam has always been a lucrative period for Malayalam movies, and with already sky-high expectations, Lokah will be looking nothing less than box office mayhem. The Lokah franchise is backed by Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films. Dulquer himself is a part of the universe, and he will be seen headlining the third instalment of it. The actor made a special appearance in the first part and is likely to have an impactful cameo in Chapter 2 before leading the next chapter. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

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

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.

BY SACNILK

Kochi, October 24 - Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero spectacle Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra is all set to make its digital debut, after creating history at the box office. The makers have been kind enough to give the film an extended theatrical run, which is very rare for a South Indian title in current times. Directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films, Lokah released in theatres on August 28, 2025, and has since gone on to create history at the box office. The visually grand fantasy-action film has grossed over 300 crores worldwide, becoming the first Malayalam film ever to achieve this milestone. The movie's phenomenal run shattered records, earning it the title of an All-Time Blockbuster. According to the latest reports, Lokah will start streaming on JioHotstar on October 31st, after completing the extended theatrical window of 9 weeks. It will stream in Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi. The film has been praised for its world-building, visual effects, and a deeply rooted mythological narrative. Its massive success has not only expanded Malayalam cinema's commercial reach but also set new standards for technical excellence and storytelling in Indian cinema. With its digital release, the movie is expected to set a new viewership benchmark for Malayalam cinema, as there has been a lot of curiosity for it among the OTT audience. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Kochi, October 6 - A historic milestone has finally been reached in the Malayalam cinema as Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero film Lokah Chapter 1 - Chandra has become the first film ever to breach the 300 crore mark at the worldwide box office. This remarkable feat, once considered untouchable for a Malayalam-language film, underscores the industry’s expanding reach over the past few years. After its thunderous start at the box office, Dominic Arun's directorial has maintained extraordinary momentum across all major markets — from Kerala and the rest of South India to international territories like the UAE, the USA, and Europe. As of the 7th Saturday (45th day), the film has minted approximately 301.50 crores worldwide. Earlier, within just a few weeks of release, Lokah surpassed every major record set by previous Malayalam blockbusters, including Manjummel Boys, Empuraan, to become the industry hit. With its OTT release still not locked, which is one of the major reasons for the film's incredible long box office, the superhero film managed to achieve an unthinkable 300 crores milestone — a landmark moment for the industry. The film's mix of strong storytelling, visually captivating world-building, and Kalyani Priyadarshan's standout performance has resonated deeply with audiences, driving repeat viewership and word-of-mouth appeal. It blends mythology, philosophy, and fantasy in a way rarely attempted in Indian cinema. Lokah's success underscores the widening appeal of Malayalam storytelling, which continues to find loyal audiences far beyond its regional boundaries. Over the last few years, the industry has scaled to new highs, and Lokesh has only taken it further. It has reaffirmed Malayalam cinema's status as a powerhouse of creative and commercial brilliance. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Kochi, September 27 - Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra can't stop breaking records at the box office as it continues its strong run. After becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam movie at the worldwide box office, it has now become the biggest Mollywood grosser domestically. The Dominic Arun's directorial has beaten Manjummel Boys, which grossed approximately 167.50 crores, in 31 days to become the biggest Malayalam grosser at the Indian box office. The film's total domestic gross now stands at around a record 169 crores. The film has been running to packed houses across Kerala, with extraordinary word-of-mouth propelling its collections week after week. It is just 9 crores away from dethroning Mohanlal's Thudarum (119 crores) to become the biggest grosser in the state. Lokah's mesmerising visuals, world-building, cinematography, production, soundtrack, and Kalyani Priyadarshan's solid performance have made it resonate with audiences far beyond the state’s borders. With this record-breaking performance, Lokah not only cements its place as a box office phenomenon but also highlights the growing reach and appeal of Malayalam cinema in India. Stay tuned...