The Indian box office in 2024 revealed a stark reality for both Bollywood and Hollywood, with both industries experiencing significant declines. An analysis of trends discussed in the report by Ormax Media revealed the rise of regional cinema as well as the South film industry’s growing stronghold on Indian audiences.
In 2024, Bollywood’s share dropped to 40% as collections fell by 13% to Rs 4,679 crore, highlighting an overreliance on blockbuster titles. Meanwhile, Hollywood’s performance in India saw a 17% decline, with collections at Rs 941 crore and footfalls plummeting to their lowest since 2015.
Despite strong performances by dubbed South Indian films, the sustainability of Bollywood’s reliance on blockbusters remains a concern. While Hindi-dubbed versions of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule (Rs. 889 crore) and Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD (Rs. 348 crore) soared, the only original Bollywood film that could keep up with this momentum was Stree 2 (Rs. 698 crore).
Hollywood’s box office performance in India also took a hit, with collections falling by 17% to Rs. 941 crore and footfalls dropping to 3.8 crore, the lowest since 2015.
Franchise films like Deadpool & Wolverine (Rs. 178 crore) dominated the charts but failed to cross the Rs. 200 crore mark, reflecting Hollywood’s dependence on established franchises and diminishing returns in the Indian market.
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Here is a deeper analysis of the Indian cinema trends landscape:
Malayalam cinema’s record-breaking growth
Malayalam cinema emerged as a major success, doubling its market share to 10% and surpassing the Rs. 1,000 crore milestone for the first time. Notable films included Manjummel Boys (Rs. 157 crore) and Aavesham (Rs. 101 crore), underscoring the industry’s ability to attract audiences in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
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Telugu cinema’s best year on record
Telugu cinema had its best year yet, grossing Rs. 2,348 crore, driven by flagship releases such as Pushpa 2: The Rule (Rs. 418 crore) and Kalki 2898 AD (Rs. 353 crore). Despite a 12% drop in footfalls, increased average ticket prices for tentpole releases contributed to the overall success.
Tamil cinema’s steady performance despite decline
Tamil cinema grossed Rs. 1,829 crore, marking a 7% drop from 2023. However, the industry diversified its portfolio, with mid-range films gaining prominence and reducing dependence on top earners. The top film, The Greatest of All Time (Rs. 266 crore), exemplified this trend.
Kannada cinema’s ongoing struggle
Kannada cinema’s collections fell by 3% to Rs. 304 crore. Footfalls dropped below 3 crore, with top films like Max (Rs. 59 crore) and UI (Rs. 34 crore) falling short of expectations.
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Marathi cinema’s weakest year since 2019
Marathi cinema grossed Rs. 177 crore, a 12% decline, with no blockbuster hits comparable to previous successes like Ved. The top film, Nach Ga Ghuma (Rs. 27 crore), underscored the industry’s challenges.
Punjabi cinema’s dip after 2023’s success
Punjabi cinema saw collections decline by 14% to Rs. 203 crore, with Jatt & Juliet 3 (Rs. 44 crore) being the standout performer. The industry’s performance reflected a dip after the success of 2023.
Gujarati cinema’s milestone year
Gujarati cinema grew by 66%, reaching Rs. 84 crore, thanks to the success of Jhamkudi (Rs. 20 crore). This milestone year highlighted the potential for growth in regional markets.
As such, the Indian box office in 2025 is counting upon the many changes witnessed last year.
Regional cinema’s rise has reshaped industry dynamics while Hindi and Hollywood films face mounting challenges. Reviving audience interest, particularly in Hindi films, and sustaining the momentum of regional successes will be critical this year.
