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The Indian box office: A record-breaking first half of 2024
The Indian box office has crossed INR50 billion ($600 million) in gross collections for the first half of 2024, marking a 3% increase from the same period last year, according to a report from Ormax Media. This milestone highlights the resilience and dynamism of the Indian film industry, which continues to captivate audiences with a diverse array of cinematic offerings.
Kalki 2898 AD: The sci-fi epic that redefined success
Sci-fi epic “Kalki 2898 AD” emerged as the undisputed champion of the period, dominating the local box office with a $92.3 million gross. This sum contributed 15% of the total box office, significantly bolstering June’s performance and pushing the month’s collections past $144 million. The film’s success can be attributed to its groundbreaking visual effects, compelling storyline, and stellar performances by the main cast, including Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Amitabh Bachchan. Watch the trailer.
Fighter: Soaring high with action and drama
Bollywood air force action film “Fighter” secured the second spot with $29 million locally. The film, starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, captivated audiences with its high-octane action sequences and patriotic fervor. Watch the trailer.
Hanu-Man: A mythological superhero tale
“Hanu-Man,” the Telugu-language mythological superhero film, closely followed in third place with $28.7 million. The film’s unique blend of mythology and superhero elements, along with a powerful performance by Teja Sajja, resonated with audiences across the country. Watch the trailer.
Shaitaan: A suspense thriller that keeps you on the edge
Bollywood suspense thriller ”Shaitaan” placed fourth locally with $21.3 million. The film, featuring Rajkummar Rao and Radhika Apte, kept viewers on the edge of their seats with its gripping narrative and unexpected twists. Watch the trailer.
Manjummel Boys: A survival drama with heart
Malayalam-language survival drama “Manjummel Boys” grossed $20.3 million, securing the fifth spot. The film’s heartfelt story and strong performances by the cast, including Fahadh Faasil and Parvathy Thiruvothu, struck a chord with audiences. Watch the trailer.
Guntur Kaaram: Action-packed drama
Telugu-language action drama “Guntur Kaaram” grossed $17 million, placing sixth. The film, starring Mahesh Babu, delivered a potent mix of action and drama that appealed to a wide audience. Watch the trailer.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire: Hollywood’s lone entry
The only Hollywood film in the Top 10 was “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” which placed seventh with $16.2 million. The film’s spectacular visual effects and epic monster battles drew in fans of the franchise. Watch the trailer.
Munjya: A horror comedy that tickles and terrifies
Bollywood horror comedy “Munjya” grossed $14.4 million, securing the eighth spot. The film’s unique blend of humor and horror, along with strong performances by the cast, made it a hit with audiences. Watch the trailer.
The Goat Life and Aavesham: Malayalam dramas that resonate
Malayalam-language dramas “The Goat Life” and “Aavesham” grossed $12.4 million and $12 million respectively, reflecting the growing appeal of Malayalam cinema. Both films offered compelling narratives and strong performances that resonated with viewers. Watch the trailer for The Goat Life and watch the trailer for Aavesham.
Language dynamics in the Indian film industry
Language dynamics in the Indian film industry saw notable shifts during this period. Malayalam-language cinema made a remarkable leap, tripling its market share to 15% and already surpassing its entire 2023 gross within the first six months of 2024. Bollywood’s Hindi-language films, while still dominant, experienced a slight dip in market share, falling to 35% from 37% in the same period last year. The report attributes this to the absence of a breakout hit comparable to 2023’s “Pathaan.”
Telugu-language cinema remained steady with a 23% market share. Meanwhile, both Tamil-language and Hollywood releases each saw their market shares drop by five percentage points to 12% and 7% respectively compared to the previous year. Punjabi-language cinema increased its market share to 3%, buoyed by the success of “Jatt & Juliet 3” in June. Conversely, Kannada-language films saw a significant downturn, claiming just 1% of the market share in the first half of 2024.
Looking ahead: Anticipated releases
The report anticipates a strong second half of the year, with a slate of high-profile releases across multiple languages. Titles such as “Pushpa 2: The Rule,” “Stree 2,” “Singham Again,” “The Greatest of All Time,” and “Devara” are generating considerable buzz. If these films meet expectations, 2024’s overall box office performance could potentially match or exceed that of 2023.
As we look forward to these upcoming releases, the Indian film industry continues to evolve, reflecting the diverse tastes and preferences of its audience. The first half of 2024 has set a high bar, and it will be fascinating to see how the rest of the year unfolds.
