BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, September 21 - Malayalam star and producer Dulquer Salmaan has put an end to the swirling speculations around Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra's digital release. There have been rumours about the OTT release of the superhero blockbuster, which is running riot at the box office. Dulquer, who has produced Lokah under his banner Wayfarer Films, took to social media to dismiss the ongoing rumours, making it clear that the film isn't arriving on any OTT platform anytime soon. He urged fans to ignore the fake news and instead wait for official updates from the makers. "Lokah isn't coming to OTT anytime soon. Ignore the fake news and stay tuned for official announcements! #Lokah #WhatstheHurry," Dulquer wrote, emphasising that the theatrical run is far from over. The film, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan in the lead, continues to perform strongly at the box office even weeks after release. Lokah isn't coming to OTT anytime soon. Ignore the fake news and stay tuned for official announcements! #Lokah #WhatstheHurry— Dulquer Salmaan (@dulQuer) September 21, 2025 Lokah has already become the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time and also achieved a rare triple in Malayalam cinema by grossing over 100 crores in Kerala alone, along with 100 crores in the overseas market and 50 crores in the rest of India. With its theatrical momentum still intact, fans will have to be patient before the much-anticipated digital premiere is confirmed. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, September 21 - Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero action spectacle Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra continues its record-breaking journey at the worldwide box office, and has become the highest-grossing film of all-time for Malayalam cinema, by beating Mohanlal's Empuraan in 24 days. Apart from being the biggest Mollywood blockbuster, Lokah registered a feat no Malayalam film has ever managed before. The film has emerged as the first from the industry to cross 100 crores in the home state of Kerala, 100 crores in overseas markets, and 50 crores in the rest of India, emerging as a true Pan-India blockbuster. This rare triple achievement underscores the film's widespread acceptance among audiences both at home and abroad. The Kerala market, traditionally the backbone of Malayalam cinema, has been the strongest pillar for Lokah. By racing past the 100 crore milestone in the state alone, the film has set a new benchmark for future blockbusters. It is only the second film after Thudarum to cross 100 crores in the state. Equally impressive has been its overseas performance, where it too breached the 100 crore mark, driven by strong collections in the Middle East and North America. Meanwhile, Lokah has also managed to penetrate the wider Indian market beyond Kerala, collecting over 50 crores from other states. This is a remarkable result for a Malayalam film, signalling its crossover appeal and rising pan-Indian recognition. With this triple strike, Lokah cements its place as a game-changer for the industry. After 24 days, the film's worldwide collection stands at around 271 crores, including over 156 crores in India. It needs to be seen how the movie fares in coming days, which will determine if it can go past 300 crores milestone and become the historic first for the content factory of Inndia cinema. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 20 - Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi's courtroom comedy drama Jolly LLB 3 opened on a positive note at the box office. The film collected approximately 12.75 crore net on its opening day, thanks to the positive word of mouth, which helped the movie to gain momentum post-noon shows. The steady pick-up in evening and night shows on Friday hinted at positive word-of-mouth, which is now clearly reflected in Saturday's trend. On its second day, the film is witnessing a significant surge in collections. As per early estimates, Jolly LLB 3 has shown a jump of over 50%, raking in the range of 19-21 crore net on Saturday. The impressive growth comes on the back of encouraging reviews and strong audience feedback, with family and multiplex audiences driving the momentum. Advance bookings also showed a healthy rise compared to Friday, signalling growing demand. The total collection after 2 days is 32+ crores net. With this strong upward trend, the movie is now on track for a 52-55 crore net opening weekend, which would place it among the better performers of the year. The chemistry between Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, along with the film's entertaining courtroom drama and social commentary, seems to have struck a chord with audiences. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

New Delhi, September 20 - The Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal will be honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023, for his contribution to Indian cinema. The award, conferred by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on the recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee, will be presented during the 71st National Film Awards ceremony in New Delhi on September 23, 2025. Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the country's highest recognition in the field of cinema. Mohanlal is the second Malayali to receive this honour after film director, script writer, and producer Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who is regarded as one of the most notable and renowned filmmakers in India. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Mohanlal has acted in over 350 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada languages. From his early breakthrough in Manjil Virinja Pookkal to acclaimed classics such as Kireedam, Bharatham, Vanaprastham and Manichitrathazhu, the actor has displayed a remarkable range. Mohanlal's modern hits like Drishyam, Pulimurugan and Lucifer have set new benchmarks at the box office for Malayalam cinema. He is also the recipient of five National Film Awards, nine Kerala State Film Awards, and India’s civilian honours, the Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2019). The announcement has been met with widespread celebration across the film fraternity and beyond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Mohanlal as the "epitome of excellence and versatility," while fans and colleagues praised the recognition as long overdue. With this honour, Mohanlal joins the league of Indian cinema legends who have shaped the industry’s artistic and cultural legacy, further cementing his status as one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema. I am deeply humbled and profoundly honored to receive The Dadasaheb Phalke Award. My heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji for your kind words and blessings, they fill me with encouragement and joy. I remain ever indebted to the art of cinema and to all… https://t.co/yMwNrNHMYm— Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) September 20, 2025 Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 20 - The Indian cinema is the most diverse in the world with its vast landscape of languages and cultures, each with its own set of superstars, styles, and record-breaking blockbusters. Over the years, the country has delivered rich results at the box office, not just with the mainstream Hindi cinema, but also with regional cinema, where films across different genres unlocked new potential. As the Indian cinema continues to evolve and come closer than ever, there have been certain films which have not only ruled their regional box office but also established themselves as benchmarks for their respective industries. Here's a look at the current all-time biggest hits from six major Indian film industries, which have set benchmarks for their other films to achieve. Hindi Cinema – Dangal (2016) Aamir Khan's sports drama Dangal (2016) remains the undisputed king of not just Bollywood, but of Indian cinema. With a staggering 2070 crore worldwide gross, the wrestling drama became a global sensation, largely due to its phenomenal run in China, which contributed over 60% to its total collection. Years later, no Indian film has managed to surpass its worldwide record. Telugu Cinema – Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) While Dangal remains the biggest Indian blockbuster, it was director S.S. Rajamouli's magnum opus Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) that changed the game for Indian cinema. Starring Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, and Anushka Shetty, the epic fantasy collected 1788 crore worldwide and showcased the true potential of Telugu films and also broke the language barrier to emerge as a pan-India spectacle, with a large contribution from the Hindi language. Kannada Cinema – KGF Chapter 2 (2022) Kannada cinema was largely limited to its home state before the Yash-fronted KGF franchise changed the game for it. And it was KGF Chapter 2 (2022) that proved that Kannada cinema could dominate globally. With its raw action, style, and storytelling, the film amassed an extraordinary 1230 crore worldwide, cementing itself as the industry's biggest blockbuster to date. Tamil Cinema – 2.0 (2018) The Tamil film industry has failed to match its fellow Southern industries in terms of potential, but it has seen a continuous rise over the last few years. However, despite multiple 500 crores blockbusters, it is Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar's sci-fi extravaganza 2.0 (2018), directed by Shankar, which is still the biggest Tamil grosser to date. The film, packed with cutting-edge VFX, grossed ₹691 crore worldwide. Malayalam Cinema – Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025) The Malayalam cinema has been on an unreal rise for the last few years. From being limited to the regional barrier to breaking into the Pan-India market, the industry has made sure that it competes with the giants of Indian cinema. And it can't be a prouder moment for the industry that a female-led film is leading the charge. Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero saga Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, with a 267+ crore worldwide gross, has become the industry's highest-grossing film of all time, surpassing big names like Mohanlal's Empuraan. Punjabi Cinema – Jatt & Juliet 3 (2024) The Punjabi film industry has been struggling to deliver results at the box office due to various reasons. It has scored only two 100 crores grossers, with Diljit Dosanjh and Neeru Bajwa's romantic comedy Jatt & Juliet 3 (2024) being the biggest of them. It became the second-ever Punjabi movie, after Carry On Jatta 3 (2023), to cross the 100 crore milestone, grossing 102.60 crore worldwide. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, September 20 - Kalyani Priyadarshan has etched her name in history as her superhero film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra has become the Malayalam industry hit by beating superstar Mohanlal's political actioner Empuraan at the time of writing this piece. The film, which has been on a dream run ever since its release, has now overtaken Empuraan on its 24th day. Empuraan was released earlier this year and finished its box office journey with around 267 crores worldwide. Lokah is expected to be around 270 crores gross at the end of the day. Directed by Dominic Arun, Chandra has witnessed phenomenal numbers across domestic and overseas markets, powered by strong word of mouth, repeat viewings, and an engaging story that resonated with family audiences. The film's box office run is far from over, and trade analysts believe it could add many more crores before completing its theatrical journey. Though it will take more than what is left in the tank, Lokah has an outside chance of topping 300 crores worldwide, a dream Malayalam industry thought Empuraan would acheive. The achievement of the latest sensation is significant as it comes with a film led by a female. Until now, the list of top-grossing films has been dominated by male superstars, making Lokah's triumph an inspiring milestone. There is no doubt that Lokah is a watershed event for Malayalam cinema that could pave the way for more women-centric blockbusters in the industry. With this massive success, Kalyani has not only delivered the performance of her career but also rewritten the rules of box office dominance. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 20 - Pawan Kalyan's gangster action drama They Call Him OG is gearing up for a thunderous start at the worldwide box office. The film, directed by Sujeeth and backed by DVV Entertainment, is easily the most-awaited Telugu movie of the year and is witnessing extraordinary demand across territories. The buzz surrounding They Call Him OG has been phenomenal, with record-breaking advance bookings being reported in the overseas market. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the bookings have started opening gradually. With paid premieres scheduled along with record-high ticket prices, OG will be aiming to score one of the biggest openings in the Telugu states. The trade is anticipating 40+ crores opening in the overseas market, while the domestic opening is predicted to be 75+ crores. If all goes well, the film is on track to register career-best numbers for Pawan Kalyan, and his first 100+ crores start. The scale of release, combined with the star's unmatched fan base and the high-octane promotional campaign, has set the stage for a historic opening. Trade experts believe that They Call Him OG has the potential not just to surpass Pawan Kalyan's previous openers but also to challenge some of the biggest South Indian openers of all time. The film's stylish action and chartbuster music have further fueled audience excitement, making it one of the most eagerly awaited releases of 2025. If the early momentum sustains through release day, They Call Him OG is certain to rewrite box office history for Pawan Kalyan, cementing his position among the top stars in Indian cinema. A 100 crore worldwide debut would mark a massive career milestone for PK, who, despite being one of the biggest stars in South Indian cinema, has failed to compete with other stars. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 19 - Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi's much-awaited courtroom comedy drama Jolly LLB 3 has taken a promising start at the domestic box office. The film, which marks the return of the popular franchise, started on a decent note in the morning shows, but quickly picked up pace as the day progressed. By afternoon, the film showed positive trends, and the momentum truly kicked in towards the evening and night shows, resulting in a better-than-expected first-day figure. What initially seemed like a 9-10 crore start has now shaped up into a good 12+ crore opening. According to early estimates, the film has collected 12-13 crore net on Day 1, and if the single-screen contribution comes out equally good, the movie even stands a chance to surpass Jolly LLB 2's opening day figure of 13.20 crore. That would be a significant feat, considering the gap between instalments and the current box office scenario. The initial word of mouth for Jolly LLB 3 seems to be positive, with audiences appreciating the mix of humour, drama, and courtroom sequences. If this reception sustains, the movie is well-positioned to score big over its first weekend. The opening day trend and advance booking for Saturday and Sunday suggest that the film could race towards a 50 crore opening weekend, which will be a good result. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 19 - Dharma Productions' upcoming drama film Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has been selected as India's official entry for the Oscars 2026. The movie will compete in the Best International Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards, slated to take place on March 26, 2026. Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in the leading roles, the movie follows two childhood friends from a small village in North India who dream of becoming police officers, hoping the job will bring them the respect they never had. However, as they come closer to their goal, pressure and struggles create problems in their friendship. Produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra under the banner of Dharma Productions, Homebound is based on a New York Times article by Basharat Peer from 2020. The film had its premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in Un Certain Regard on 21 May 2025. The film was also selected at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival in Gala Presentation and was screened on 10 September 2025. Homebound is scheduled for a theatrical release in India on September 26. We are proud to announce that Homebound is India's official entry for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards. In cinemas 26th September pic.twitter.com/Yiik8rhVAb— Dharma Productions (@DharmaMovies) September 19, 2025 Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 19 - The devotional epic Mahavatar Narsimha, directed by Ashwin Kumar, has almost completed its glorious theatrical run on a historic note at the worldwide box office. The animation sensation has emerged as one of the biggest cinematic spectacles in recent times, both in terms of collections and audience appreciation. Produced by Kaleem Production and presented by Hombale Films, Mahavatar Narsimha opened to around 2 crores gross, which is a good collection for an Indian animation. However, what followed next was truly historical, as the film kept pushing limits week after week and unlocked new potential for animated films in India. According to the latest data, Mahavatar Narsimha has finished its journey with over 325+ crores gross collection at the worldwide box office. In India, the movie missed out on reaching 300 crores gross, as it is set to finish around 298 crores gross, which is, nonetheless, is remarkable feat for an animated film. Additionally, the film recorded 1.50 crore approximate footfalls in India, highlighting the massive reach and connection it created with audiences across demographics. It is easily the most-watched animated title in India by a long margin. The movie also fared well in the overseas markets, grossing around 28 crores. With a worldwide gross crossing the 325 crore milestone, the film has been declared a super blockbuster. The strong theatrical run, combined with impressive footfalls, proved that Mahavatar Narsimha was not just a commercial success but also a cultural event in itself. Here Is The Final Worldwide Box Office Breakdown of Mahavatar Narsimha India Net Box Office Collection₹ 250.50 Cr Hindi Net Box Office Collection₹ 188.00 Cr India Gross Box Office Collection₹ 298.00 Cr Overseas Box Office Collection₹ 28.00 Cr (Est.) Worldwide Box Office Collection₹ 326.00 Cr India Footfalls/Admits1.50 Cr approx. Box Office VerdictSuper Blockbuster Records and Achievements - Highest-grossing Indian animated movie of all-time in India and Worldwide - Highest-grossing animated movie at the Indian box office - First ever Indian animated film to gross 100, 200, and 300 crores gross worldwide - First ever animated movie to gross 200 at the Indian box office - First ever Indian animated film to gross 100 and 200 crores in India - Most watched animated movie of all-time at the Indian box office in theatres - Third-highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 Mahavatar Narsimha stands as a shining example of how powerful storytelling rooted in Indian epics, combined with cutting-edge visuals, can captivate audiences worldwide. With its final record-breaking collection and footfalls, the film has etched its name in the history books as a true cinematic triumph. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 19 - Teja Sajja's fantasy action adventure film Mirai has crossed 100 crores at the worldwide box office, becoming the back-to-back second film of the actor to achieve the milestone. The film has been riding on strong word of mouth and impressive occupancy in both domestic and overseas markets, cementing Teja Sajja's position as one of the most promising young stars in Telugu cinema. Mirai opened to strong numbers upon release, with its engaging storyline, visual spectacle, and Teja Sajja's performance resonating well with audiences. The film grew steadily over the weekends, with families and youth contributing significantly to its footfalls, while overseas territories added a healthy share to the overall tally of 101 crores worldwide in 7 days. This century-mark achievement further strengthens Teja's box office streak, as he has already delivered a big blockbuster last year in the form of Hanu-Man. With Mirai, he not only sustains that momentum but also raises the bar by entering the prestigious 100 crore club. As the film continues its theatrical run, it is expected to have a solid second weekend, adding more to its total, especially with no major competition in the coming weeks. The success also reaffirms the growing appeal of devotional action dramas among audiences across regions, showcasing the expanding reach of Indian cinema on the global stage. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 19 - Kaleem Productions and Hombale Films Mahavatar Narsimha has completed its glorious box office run, emerging as the biggest Indian animated blockbuster of all-time by a massive margin. The movie is directed by Ashwin Kumar. The first film in the 7-part planned Mahavatar Cinematic Universe was released amid low hype, but it did well at the box office was unthinkable. Made on a modest budget of around 10-15 crores, the movie went on to become one of the highest-grossing titles of the year with over 300 crores worldwide. After completing its dream run, Mahavatar Narsimha began streaming on Netflix on September 19. It has been in theatres for 8 weeks, which is mandatory for a Hindi film. Unlike rumours, it is originally in the Hindi language and was premiered in Hindi at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in 2024. Netflix acquired the film's post-theatrical streaming rights for all languages, including Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil versions. It has started streaming at 12:30 PM today. This is one of the first Indian animated films for the streamer. Watch Mahavatar Narsimha, out now, on Netflix.#MahavatarNarsimhaOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/JS46QjjxuU— Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) September 19, 2025 Stay tuned...